Brewdog Three Pubs Challenge.

I came up with the idea for this a while ago, on the Brewdog Bus of Bedlam to Edinburgh, for my first visit to the Brewdog bar in the Cowgate. The Glasgow bar had just been announced on the blog, and I thought it would be fun to visit all three bars in the same day.

With the AGM in Edinburgh, the official opening of Brewdog Glasgow, and it being the first day of my annual leave I thought this was too good an opportunity to miss. So I got online, sorted out the train tickets and spent some time on Google maps as I don't know that part of Glasgow at all.

I woke before my alarm on Saturday morning, despite only having been in my bed for 5 hours. Working shifts for Royal Mail really mucks up my sleep patterns. The upside was that I had enough time to get the bus into the station, and didn't have to waken Tracy to drive me there.

I was on the train in plenty of time, unlike one poor lassie who missed it by 10 seconds and was left standing on the platform.

Arriving in Edinburgh I was a bit confused as to how to get out of the station due to the building work going on there. I finally emerged out into daylight, and headed over to the Cowgate bar. They weren't yet open, as it was still just 11am, so I headed down to Holyrood 9A, for a second breakfast. I had an excellent pint of Black Isle porter with what turned out to be a tasty fry up as well. Service was good and I stayed long enough for a half of Anchor Steam Beer, before heading back to the Brewdog.

A free half of Punk, IPA on arrival was  gratefully received as James and Martin positioned themselves on stools on the bar to start the business part of the AGM. In the usual Brewdog style the business talk was combined with beer tasting. Prototype 17, EFP 11, and Juniper Wheat. The beers were paired with free pizza.

I'm not going into great detail with the business side of stuff, But basically turnover is up, profit is up. They still can't brew enough beer to meet demand. Planning for the new brewery is going well. More staff Have been taken on. Nikola as brewery manager. Who is implementing efficiencies, which mean they will brew more beer with the existing equipment. Martin Dempster is doing logistics and computer stuff. More staff in the brewery, so that every part of the operation, can be done simultaneously.

Equity For Punks II is going well. International Punks are now able to buy shares. About a third of the target has been raised and it isn't even payday yet.

We had an apology for the standard of sevice from the online shop, and measures are being put in place to improve things there.

The Camden bar project is progressing, and expect an anouncement on a Manchester location soon.

We were asked for ideas for new beers we would like to see. I came up with a fairly crazy idea, which I'm not going to get into here. There was also a request for the return of Storm. I've never tasted Storm. It is apparently, the marmite of beer. You either love it or hate it.

Some good news was revealed concerning guest beers. Refridgerated containers full of good stuff are on the way here from the USA. These beers will arrive younger and fresher than they have ever been seen in the UK before. Ballast Point as well as a return of Maui Brewing was mentioned here.

The boring business and legal stuff, was agreed in a quickfire manner, so we could get on with drinking a couple more beers. Another free half of Punk, and a half of Alice Porter. We also got to meet Dr Gonzo, the other Brewdog. Bracken was too busy plotting the downfall of Molson Coors, or chasing a stick to attend.

After the meeting I got talking to a father and son from Cardiff, who had come in for a beer, and had had no option but listen to what was being discussed. I was astounded when I was asked if 3 or 4 thousand pounds, would be a big enough investment. The son who is about 20, had a load of savings in the bank that was basically earning nothing and he and his dad thought that EFP would be a good investment. Read the propectous, consult your IFA, and we'll see you at the next shareholder event.



A beacon of non-conformity in a monotone corporate desert

 A couple of the other shareholders,Steve and Chris were heading over to Glasgow too, so we headed back to Waverly and got the next train to Queen Street. A nanokeg of Punk on the train later and we were there. Out the door to Buchanan Street subway, and a short noisy tube journey to Kelvinhall. Up the stairs turn left out the door (follow the signs for Kelvingrove Art Gallery). A short walk and you are there. Ridiculously easy to get to and with a great view.



The Glasgow pub is about 50% bigger than the first two. Massive windows on two sides of the building, letting in loads of light. This is no dark and dingy drinking den. The look is the same as the previous two bars, exposed steel, brick, and reclaimed wood. The only difference is the floor. The original flooring was uncovered during the renovations, and was considered to good looking to cover up again. Despite the fact that it wasn't officially open yet, it was busy.

First up was Stone Sublimely Self  Righteous. A beer with a name to match my mood. I do after all own a  very small part of this pub. I got talking to a few of my fellow drinkers in the bar, and found out they were drinking their way down the Brewdog beer list on the board. As good a way to get to know the beers as any. They were on Hardcore and enjoying it.

Next was a Demolen Op & Top. Not a beer I've had before. A decent enough half pint.






The view from inside the bar (Photo by Brian Christie)

  It was good to see Bruce, Neil, and Lynn again. All three started their Brewdog careers in the Aberdeen bar. Bruce is in charge of all the bars, Neil and Lynn have moved to work in the Glasgow bar. Also visiting from Aberdeen were Fiona and Lynne, resplendent in mini-kilts, cut off Brewdog t-shirts and pom poms. The Brewdog Beerleaders. Fiona and Lisa were also doing all three pubs and had started with a swift half in Aberdeen. They left for Edinburgh before the official opening

The Toilet Doors. Getting the right one should be easy.



Official Opening. (photo, by Neil Thomas Douglas)



A Beacon for Great Craft Beer (photo ripped off from Brewdog James)

James and Martin arrived and the bar was heaving by the time it was officially declared open.  Laura (marketing manager for the summer) and Nikola were also there. I asked Nikola if a mega brewery (he came over from the darkside) could brew beer as good as Brewdogs. The answer was easily, if they wanted to. Lends weight to the argument that accountants not brewers are in control.

By this time I had to get going for the train back to Aberdeen. I always find it hard to drag myself out of a Brewdog bar before closing time, but I didn't have an option if I was going to make it back to  the Aberdeen  bar before it closed. After retracing my steps back to Queen Street I had time for a quick burger before the train home.

After an uneventful journey back north, and a wee nap I arrived back in Aberdeen, met up with Tracy, and headed to the Gallowgate, and Brewdog Aberdeen. The place was busy as usual. A half pint of Lost Abbey Devotion ale, followed by a half pint of Alice Porter.

The Brewdog Beerleaders Return to Aberdeen
(photo By Brewdog Aberdeen)

Fiona and Lynne arrived back about a half hour after me, having started and finished in Brewdog Aberdeen.

I was hoping to be the first to complete the Brewdog Three Pubs Challenge, I wasn't. I wasn't even the second. That honour goes to Lee, another Aberdeen regular, taking full advantage of his free train travel privileges, and the Glasgow soft opening. In joint second were Fiona and Lynne, the Brewdog Beerleaders, who started and finished  in the Aberdeen bar. I came in a dismal fourth place. I can claim to be the first, after the Glasgow pub opened officially, but thats just me sulking.

What I do know is I won't be the last.

 As the Brewdog bar empire expands, doing them all in a day will be that much more of a challenge, and there will be lots of scope for lots of fun, in the future, and while it is easy getting good craft beer onto a train, getting a can of Punk through airport security isn't going to happen. Time for the Brewdog marketing team to speak to Stelios perhaps.

If you live In the Aberdeen area and would like a free trip to the Glasgow bar on the 6th of August, Email mark@brewdogaberdeen to book your place.

If you want to become an Equity Punk, own part of a Rock'n Roll Brewery, and drink your beer in your pubs you can invest here