A weekend in Aberdeen

This weekend I found myself in Aberdeen. This came as no big surprise as I had gotten on a plane to that very destination. The reason of course was to attend the AGM of the Scotish Brewer, which many others have blogged and will blog about; so I'll not say much here. Their pub caused me to jump of the bus a few stops early though.

Marischal College

I was impressed with Aberdeen as a city. Having not been before I enjoyed visits to the Art Gallery and Maritime Museum alongside wondering the streets marvelling at the fantastic granite architecture. I even stumbled across a farmer's market and sampled some artisinal cheeses from an up-and-coming Scottish cheese maker.

Busy Grill

It wasn't all fun and games though, I had some serious pub research to do so. Starting out in The Grill (closest to my place of abode) I went for a Deeside IPA. Not having had any from this local brewery before I wasn't sure what to expect. I loved it. A proper British-hopped IPA with a really sicy Challenger note, plenty of bitterness and a decent 5.7% ABV, none of this session-strength bollocks here! The bar itself is an award-winning whisky destination and there was a massive array available...they'll have to wait for another day.

Unassuming Entry

Next up was a cellar bar...part of a hotel (The Brentwood) no less and with ten hand pumps. A selection of session strength offerings was the order of the day, with both national and local brands available. Having followed the pseudo-Burton debate on B&B's and Martyn's blogs recently I chose to try "Burton Ale" - really a pale ale. Another enjoyable find: an arthy fuggles nose without the metallic note that i find so off-putting in some. A creamy texture herbal to taste at first, think weak tea with a shortcake biscuit dunked into it. Then someone squeezed the teabag and added some tannic bitterness and stinging nettles to the finish. A nice drop, style traitor or otherwise.

Slain's Castle

We also visited a pub inside a converted church -Slain's Castle. Decked out inside like a medieval dungeon, replete with gargoyles, skeletons and cobwebs, its not so OTT as to be tacky and gives the pub something unique.Only two cask beers to choose from here but both in good nick. I went for an old favourite Black Sheep Bitter and was almost charged for two pints instead of pint and a half. Prices must have been well north of £3.50 a pint however as I got no change from a  fiver even with 20 per-cent CAMRA discount.

Scotty and Phil

Of course, no visit would be complete without a visit to the eponymous bar of the aforementioned brewer. Here i was well looked after by Phil and assistant manager Scotty on multiple occasions, the Friday night being particularly busy. I got through Libertine Black Ale, Anarchist Alchemist, Barrel Aged 77 Lager, Nogne O Tiger Tripel, Chris From Stone's Stout, Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine and Cantillion Kriek - not a duff beer amongst them.

Brewing up a Storm

We were also treated to a goodly selection of beers at the AGM itself, which Craig has written about here. My personal favourites were the American Saison and libertine black ale, but Dog A was also amazingly good, if a little boozy for five of the evening clock! There was a batch of beer being brewed on the pilot plant at the AGM with galena hops

In all then Aberdeen does have some decent pubs and I didn't even get a chance to check out MUSA or the Moorings on the waterfront, certainly more to see and I'll definitely aim to return another day.