Kelburn Brewing Company is a family run business based in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire. The company was formed in October 2001 and commenced brewing in April 2002.
In the mid seventies, Derek realised that the quality of ale in the U.K. left something to be desired and determined to do something about it. As a science graduate from Paisley University he had some knowledge of the brewing process and decided to develop this through experiments in home brewing. He was greatly assisted, by the brewers at the now sadly defunct Strathalbyn Brewery. His love of good quality ale caused him to join the Campaign for Real Ale in 1978 and later form the Renfrewshire Branch of CAMRA in 1981. In 1997 Derek helped form the Houston Brewery where he and his son Ross brewed award-winning ales.
To date the beers have won a total of over 60 awards, including Champion Beer of Scotland 2006 for Cart Blanche and 2014 for Dark Moor. Also Jaguar won the Champion Golden Ale of Britain in 2015.
Kelburn ales are available throughout the U.K. Delivery locally is by Brewery dray and nationally by agency. Currently 8 brews are available year-round, with an additional 8 seasonal/occasional beers now available too.
On cask at Au Bar. Appearance - auburn with orange chinks and a nice head. Slight haze. Nose - orange and red fruits. Taste - light redcurrant and orange notes. Palate - light to medium bodied with a creamy texture and a fairly good finish if a bit astringent. Overall - decent amber ale. Leaning towards a bitter.
Cask at the New Bazaar, Dumfries. Mid gold, served on this occasion with a large Northern head. Lemon-lime Pixy Stix aroma. Taste is a standard bitterness with a tinge of citrussy sweetness. I lose the sweetness at the finish, where only bitterness - with a touch of sulphur - seem to remain. I want to like this and I feel as though I should. Full marks for trying but I feel the balance isn’t right at all.
Cask at the white lady. Pours dark brown with a thin tan head. Aromas of coffee and chocolate. Taste is rich, coffee, cocoa. Live balance of bitter and sweet on the finish.
Cask at the cafe royal. Pours clear gold, thick white head. Aromas of light orange, cereal. Taste is light bitter orange, more grains. Medium body, creamy texture. Ok.
Cask at the cafe royal. Pours clear gold, thinnest white head. Aromas are mostly mineral, light caramel. Taste is more of the same. Pretty dull to be honest.
Cask at the National Winter Ales Festival, The Roundhouse, Derby, 2015. Dark amber pour with a beige head. Lots of fruit in the aroma. Tangy fruit flavours. Good bitterness. Nice.