About
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.
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.
6.2/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Can from advent calendar. Dark reddish brown pour, with a medium off white head. Aroma is malty, slightly fruity, toasted caramels, and light breadiness. medium to lightly bitter, lots of toffee, and cereals, with light hops.
Tried
from Can
on 28 Feb 2025
at 05:41
6.6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Old rating from 2016 - From the cask at Blackfriars, Glasgow. Pours caramel with a white head. Aromas & tastes of citrus, apricot, lemon, resin, butterscotch & hops. Moderate body. Light bitter finish
Tried
from Cask
on 17 Feb 2025
at 21:19
6.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6.5
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Old rating - 330ml bottle, pours dark brown with a beige head. Aromas & tastes of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, blackcurrant, earth & malt. Medium body. Light bitter finish
Tried
from Bottle
on 31 Jan 2025
at 09:29
6.3/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6
Half pint from the cask at the Three Judges, Glasgow. Pours dark red/ brown with a white head. Aromas & tastes of nuts, hazelnut, toffee & malt. Moderate body. Smooth finish. Enjoyable
Tried
from Cask
on 07 Jan 2025
at 16:22
7.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
On cask. Appearance - golden and fairly clear. White head. Nose - lemon, floral and light biscuit. Taste - orange, caramel, biscuit and grassy. Palate - light bodied, dry finish. Overall - good example of the style.
Tried
from Cask
on 09 Mar 2024
at 12:25
7.1/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
Cask at the Society Rooms, Glasgow. Pours clear pale gold with a thin white head. Aromas of floral lemon and biscuit. Taste is orange and light malt. Light bitter finish.
Tried
from Cask
on 09 Mar 2024
at 12:23
6.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Cask at Babbity Bowster in the Merchant city of Glasgow. Clear golden with a creamy head. Some citrus in aroma, session strength, easy, with light dry citrus sherbet notes in its aftertaste that linger.
Tried
from Cask
at
Babbity Bowster
on 07 Feb 2024
at 19:32
6.6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Cask at No.1 - Edinburgh 1/12/23. Large creamy off white head on a reddish brown still body. Smooth & creamy. Sweet, berries, malt & spiced tastes. Very quaffable
Tried
from Cask
on 04 Dec 2023
at 21:05
6.9/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Keg at The Standing Order - Edinburgh 2/12/23. Thin creamy tan head on a still black body. Roasted, nutty, grain & treacle tastes with a bitter hoppy finish. Top Drawer.
Tried
on 04 Dec 2023
at 20:57
5.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 4.5
Cask. Pours hazy pale gold with a white head. Light malt, cereal, hay, floral notes.
Tried
from Cask
on 07 Oct 2023
at 01:42