Barney's Beer
Edinburgh's smallest commercial brewery and one of the city's most distinctive. Barney's brews in tiny batches at Summerhall — the same complex that houses Pickering's Gin and the Royal Dick bar. The range is constantly rotating, sessions in the Royal Dick (which doubles as their tap room) are essentially the brewery's living room. Volcano IPA is their volume product; the small-batch specials are where it gets interesting.
Core beers
Volcano IPA
RecommendedCitrus, light pine, balanced bitterness. Their constant — a reliable Edinburgh IPA. Solid rather than spectacular, but reliable.
Pairs with: Pizza, BBQ, mature cheddar
The Good, The Bad, The Drunkly
Citrus, soft mouthfeel, sessionable. A reliable Edinburgh pale ale.
Pairs with: Pub food, salads, fish
Barney's is the most genuinely small-scale Edinburgh brewery — proper micro, with everything brewed in cellar-sized batches at the back of Summerhall. Quality varies because the range is so wide and constantly changing, but the highs are genuinely interesting and you'll find specials here you won't see anywhere else. The Royal Dick tap room is one of the best craft beer experiences in Edinburgh's Old Town. Worth a visit on character alone.
Where to buy
Find their beer near you
Stocks Barney's rotators.
The tap room. Always has Barney's on draught.
Not in supermarkets. Royal Dick tap room and Edinburgh indie bottle shops only.
Tap room: The Royal Dick (Summerhall)
Barney's tap room is The Royal Dick — the old veterinary college bar at Summerhall, shared with Pickering's Gin. Atmospheric, properly Edinburgh, dog-friendly, and walkable from the Old Town and Meadows. One of the city's best craft beer experiences.
Walk-ins. Friday/Saturday late evening can be busy with festival crowds.
What's on tap →Getting there
Lothian Buses 41 or 42 to Summerhall. 15-minute walk from Waverley Station.
Designated driver essential — the tap room pours generously.
Parking: Limited street parking. Public transport recommended.
Find Barney's Beer on tap
The home tap.
Often guests Barney's on cask.
Events
Summerhall is a major Fringe venue and Barney's tap room is one of the busiest beer destinations during the festival.
Beer & food pairings
Barney's beers are everyday-craft. Pair with everyday food.
Compare Barney's Beer with
Frequently asked questions
Where is Barney's Beer?
At Summerhall in Edinburgh — the converted veterinary college that also houses Pickering's Gin and the Royal Dick bar.
Is the Royal Dick the tap room?
Yes — the Royal Dick is the on-site bar at Summerhall and serves as Barney's tap room. Open daily, family- and dog-friendly.
Is Barney's small?
Yes — properly small. Barney's is one of Edinburgh's smallest commercial breweries with an annual output around 600 hectolitres.
Where can I buy Barney's beer?
Royal Dick tap room (always on tap), Edinburgh indie bottle shops (Valhalla's Goat, Hippo Beers). No direct online shop.
Are they independent?
Yes. Founder-owned since 2011.
What's their best beer?
Volcano IPA is the constant. The most interesting beers are the rotating specials — keep checking the tap list.
Other Scottish breweries
Fyne Ales
Glen Fyne, Argyll
Jarl (session blonde, 3.8%)
Pilot Beer
Leith, Edinburgh
Leith Juice (NEIPA, 6.2%)
Vault City Brewing
Edinburgh
Session Sour (4.5%, varying fruit)
Fierce Beer
Aberdeen
Fierce IPA (6.5%)
Stewart Brewing
Loanhead, Midlothian
Radical Road (Pale Ale, 6.4%)
Harviestoun Brewery
Alva, Clackmannanshire
Bitter & Twisted (Blonde Ale, 4.2%)
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