If you’re gluten-free or vegan, then we think Bellfield Brewery is an absolute must-visit. Established in 2019, this brewery is known for its gluten-free beers which include classic Indian Pale Ales (IPA), hoppy ales, and crisp lagers and pilsners. 

What sets them apart is that all of their beers are certified by Coeliac UK and registered with the Vegan Society. This means that even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy a cold pint without having to compromise on taste or quality.

Their gluten-free beer selection is what really put them on the map. We tried their Daft Days Porter, and it had a rich, roasted flavour with hints of chocolate and coffee, while their Lawless Village IPA is a bold and hoppy beer with lovely citrus and pine notes.

This brewery is also quite inclusive, which we love. Not only are they child-friendly, they also welcome well-behaved dogs. 

We also appreciate the range of activities and events they offer such as brewery tours and tastings, street food pop-ups, quiz nights, and comedy. So, whether you’re looking for a fun night out or an educational experience, there’s something here for everyone.

Of course, no place is perfect, and this brewery does have a few downsides. Firstly, they’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so if you’re looking for a midweek pint, you’ll need to go elsewhere. 

Additionally, our server was a bit surly, which sort of dampened the overall experience for us.

We think Moonwake Beer Co. is another must-visit brewery for beer lovers in Edinburgh. This brewery has gained quite a reputation for its high-quality beers and excellent service. 

First off, they are open all week, which is great for beer-lovers that have busy schedules. We also appreciate that they’re dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

What makes this brewery impressive is that it was established by a team with extensive craft beer and brewing careers. They brew their beers using modern equipment and quality ingredients. 

We think their numerous awards speak for themselves. These include the Beer52 Awards: Best Newcomer in 2022 and Brewers Journal Awards: 2022’s Best New Brewery.

We highly-recommend their award-winning wheat beer, Weissbier. It was one of our favourites – a refreshing and light-bodied beer dominated by traditional banana and clove flavours.

If you’re looking for a private event space, they can accommodate up to 20 people in their mezzanine bar. You can also choose their back bar for guests up to 30 or 40.

For those who love online shopping, they also offer free delivery to EH & FK postcodes on orders over £30, and orders over £40 for the rest of the UK.

One minor downside is that some of their beers might be slightly pricier at £6. However, this is not uncommon for high-quality craft beers.

Another is that it is relatively new, having just opened in 2021. While this is not necessarily a negative aspect, some visitors may prefer to visit more established breweries with a longer history in the craft beer industry. 

As a well-established chain bar, BrewDog Edinburgh Cowgate has been operating for over a decade. We think it’s clear to see why it has stood the test of time.

For the online shoppers out there, if you spend £50 or more, you’ll enjoy free delivery. This is a fantastic perk for those who want to stock up on their favourite beers.

They’re also known for their various experiences, such as their Beer School Experience. This offers a guided beer tasting with 5 1/3 pints of beer and a cheese board for only £25. 

For those who want to party with their furry friends, we think their Dog Pawties are a steal. It costs just £6 per pup, complete with dog party hats and special dog ice cream sundaes.

We highly recommend their delicious Elvis Juice IPA because it offers a perfect blend of grapefruit and hoppy bitterness, with a touch of caramel sweetness and a smooth finish. This IPA has a distinct and bold flavour that is sure to please any beer lover. 

They also offer a great selection of non-alcoholic options. We tried their famous Elvis AF Non-Alcoholic Beer and Hazy Jane Alcohol Free Non-Alcoholic Beer, and we liked their delicious and complex flavours.

Unfortunately, the wait times can be long – up to 30 minutes. This can be frustrating for those who are eager to start enjoying their beers. 

Additionally, we found their staff to be quite aloof. They left us standing for a while before finally acknowledging us.

Innis & Gunn is another solid brewery in Edinburgh. Having been established in 2003, we think they’ve had plenty of time to perfect their craft and develop a loyal following.

Upon entering, we instantly loved its modern and industrial feel, with its exposed brick walls and steel fixtures. It also has a spacious outdoor seating area, which is perfect for enjoying a pint on a sunny day. 

One notable fact about this brewery is that the founder was the first Scottish brewer to win Champion Beer of Britain in 2001. This is a great achievement that speaks to the quality of the beer they produce.

In fact, their flagship beer, Innis & Gunn Lager Beer, is Scotland’s No.1 craft lager and won Gold at the prestigious Monde Selection Awards for four years running. We loved its crisp and refreshing taste, and we even opted for a second round.

The brewery also has its own app, which makes booking a table or event much easier. This is a nice touch that adds to the customer’s overall experience.

Unlike other breweries, they host Brew Schools on weekends. This is a great way for beer enthusiasts to learn more about the brewing process and get hands-on experience.

However, we found their staff to be a bit rude and unfriendly. They spoke in an impolite way, which we found a bit irritating.

Additionally, some of their prices were comparatively high, with some beers costing as much as £7. This may be a bit steep for customers who are looking for a more affordable option. 

We then headed over to Fierce Beer, a Scottish brewery founded in 2015 that has quickly made a name for itself in the craft beer scene. With over 20 export countries and counting, it’s clear that Fierce Beer has a strong following.

We were quite impressed with their list of awards. In 2020, they won a staggering 14 medals at the Scottish Beer Awards before being named Scottish Brewery of the Year in 2021!

When we arrived, we found the place to be quite appealing. It had a very laid back vibe, with its distinctive chalkboard green and white walls complemented by wooden furniture and seating. 

We highly recommend their Marathon Moose, a velvety smooth, luxurious chocolate stout that’s packed with waves of rich caramel, sweet vanilla, and roasted peanut. It’s the kind of beer that you’ll want to savour slowly, taking in all the complex flavours.

They also offer a range of gluten-free beers, and we were pleasantly surprised by their Fierce Rhubarb. It had a delicious tartness that was balanced perfectly with a hint of sweetness.

For those who prefer non-alcoholic options, they also have you covered. We tried their Cerveza 0.5 and was impressed by how full-bodied and flavourful it was, despite being non-alcoholic.

Unfortunately, we thought their bar staff were quite rude and aggressive, which put a bit of a damper on the experience. We felt like they didn’t want us to be there.

The acoustics were also terrible. The noise level was so high that it was difficult to have a conversation without shouting.   

The Keller is a pub geared toward beer enthusiasts and lovers to have access to a warm and cozy drinking experience whilst also having an excellent selection of brews for their versatile tastes.

Established back n 2020, they have since then been offering customers brewery and distillery services that are close to home that also emphasizes local blends and unique beer brews that clients can discover and re-discover.

Aside from this, we like that they make accessing their services to be convenient since they can readily book their pub quizzes online and even table reservations online to enable clients a smooth and hassle-free experience with them.

Note though that rates and their beer selections aren’t readily available on their website to which interested clients may need to inquire further for more information on such matters.

Overall, with their cozy and homely brewery atmosphere and interior, excellent unique beer selections offered, and accommodating personnel, we highly recommend interested clients to check them out.