Glasgow’s best breweries

Founded in 2014 by two friends, Matt and Graeme, Dryagte is a producer of high-quality craft beer. It’s also a modern drinking and dining space housed in an industrial-style warehouse. Situated in the heart of Glasgow’s East End where much of the industry’s heritage lies, it is known for a wide choice of IPAs, lagers, stouts and more. They often release seasonal and limited-edition brews, so the beer offerings can vary throughout the year. The brewery hosts various events, including live music, festivals and comedy, is dog-friendly and has its own car park making it extra handy for families.

There are 30 beers on draught at Shilling Brewing Co. You may like to try their own Unicorn IPA, Glasgow Red or the Black Star Teleporter all crafted in the in-house microbrewery. 

Students can nab some great deals and everyone can take advantage of two for one pizza nights, with dough-based creation cooked in the cupola oven for the lightest bite. Take a tour while you’re here and discover the brewery’s processes right through from the grain to the glass.

The Scottish brewery chain has taprooms across the nation, including two here in Glasgow (on Ashton Lane and in West Nile Street). Naturally, the varieties on tap showcase the brewery’s own creations, but there are plenty from afar too. Sup on a schooner of tank fresh unpasteurised Innis and Gunn beer, alongside international dishes like baked camembert, Korean fried chicken, gourmet hot dogs, Weegie fries (chicken tikka mayo, pickle and parmesan loaded) and Jarvis Pickle’s Beef and Caribbean Rum Cask Pie with mash and greens. You can also sign up for Brew School each Saturday and learn how to make your own beer under the host’s expert guidance.

Beer and music make excellent bedfellows, especially here at Platform. Home to Glasgow’s largest selection of craft beers, Platform is a go-to for beer fans. It has its own microbrewery, as well as draught unpasteurised lager by Innis & Gunn. You don’t want to drink on an empty stomach, so order yourself some street food from the veritable village of tasty options which can be enjoyed inside, or at the outdoor garden oasis; The Lane. The venue caters for private parties too, so if you want to hold an exclusive beer tasting for colleagues or friends, talk to the team.

This Italian restaurant has its very own breweries in Erba and Iglesias, which proffer 15 different types of regular beer, as well as seasonal specials. The brand’s Glasgow restaurant is super central, on George Square and following their motto of “un posto felice“, is a very happy spot.

Come in and try their Ultra Pils, Extra Bitter, Bella Rossa, Più che Rossa, Summer, Honey, Cocoa or Sexy IPS, Super Chiara, Zingy Ale, Imperiale, Black Stout or Iper Weiss. Each has its own personality, suitability and pairing, so as with any of the breweries in town, do ask the staff for guidance with finding your perfect pint. Stop for some food too; there are grills, pizzas, pasta, gourmet burgers, filone (baguette) sandwiches, risottos and salads.

Located in the iconic Templeton Building, WEST Brewery specialises in German-style lagers and wheat beers, staying true to traditional brewing methods (they take pride in their adherence to the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law, which governs the ingredients used in beer production).

It was founded in 2006 by brewmaster Petra Wetzel and was named ‘Scotland’s Pub of the Year’ at the National Pub Bar Awards in 2016. The brewery, which you can tour, includes a large restaurant and a huge beer garden overlooking Glasgow Green. Its menu is inspired by Bavarian cuisine; tuck into wursts, schnitzels, pretzels and strudels, among other German favourites. The warehouse interior reflects a Bavarian beer hall atmosphere and is dog and family-friendly.