The Black Isle Brewery

I really enjoy visiting craft breweries and distilleries in the Highlands as there is often so much more to them than the production of beer or gin. The Black Isle Brewery is a prime example of this with its world-class, organic, craft beer produced at Allangrange Farm where some of the organic barley for the beer is grown and the water is drawn from a private source. During the brewing process, the spent grain from the mash tun is fed to the Hebridean sheep which help to fertilise the fields, and to the hens and the Jersey cow which provide eggs and milk for the households on the farm. This sustainable cycle also extends to the farm garden – a joyous display of organic fruit and vegetables – some of which flavour the beers, feed the farm and find their way to the Black Isle Brewery’s bars in Inverness and Fort William. This garden and the more ornate walled garden have been carefully planted using the no-dig method encouraging natural fertilisation and pollination, as well as providing habitats for wildlife. Both are open to the public at certain times.