Belhaven
Scotland's oldest working brewery. Belhaven has been brewing in Dunbar since 1719 and remains one of the few breweries in Scotland that genuinely produces traditional Scottish cask ale at scale. Now owned by Greene King (in turn owned by Japanese giant Asahi), Belhaven is no longer independent in any sense, but the heritage range — Belhaven Best, Wee Heavy, 80/- — is widely available across Scottish pubs and remains decent traditional cask ale.
Core beers
Belhaven Best
RecommendedSmooth, malty, light. The volume Scottish cask ale — found in nearly every pub in the central belt. Reliable session ale.
Pairs with: Pub food, fish and chips, mature cheddar
Wee Heavy
Rich, malty, toffee, dried fruit. A proper traditional Wee Heavy — sweet but not cloying, warming, satisfying.
Pairs with: Beef stew, hard cheese, sticky toffee pudding
80 Shilling
Toffee malt, gentle hop, traditional Scottish 80-shilling style. A heritage style done at heritage scale.
Pairs with: Steak pie, haggis, hard cheese
Belhaven sits in an awkward category: too big and corporate to be properly indie, but with genuine 300-year heritage and proper cask ale that you can find in nearly every pub in Scotland. Belhaven Best is the smooth ale of choice across the central belt — competent, sessionable, unexciting. Wee Heavy is the more interesting bottle: a 6.5% strong Scottish ale that's properly traditional. Buy if you want heritage cask ale; look elsewhere for craft excitement.
Where to buy
Find their beer near you
Belhaven Best in nearly every store.
Core range.
Belhaven Best is on tap nearly everywhere.
Very strong. Belhaven Best, Wee Heavy, and 80/- are in nearly every Scottish supermarket. Cans and bottles widely available.
Brewery tours
| Tour | Duration | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belhaven Brewery Tour | 90 min | £15 | Tour of historic site + 4 tasters + a pint |
Saturdays. Book ahead. The 1719 heritage is the main draw — the brewery itself is largely modern.
Book tourGetting there
ScotRail East Coast train Edinburgh to Dunbar (25 min). 10-minute walk from station.
Designated driver essential — the tap room pours generously.
Parking: Free at the brewery.
Find Belhaven on tap
Belhaven on tap.
Belhaven Best widely available.
Awards
Beer & food pairings
Belhaven beers pair with traditional Scottish pub food. Less suited to modern food than craft brewers.
Compare Belhaven with
Frequently asked questions
Is Belhaven the oldest brewery in Scotland?
Yes — Belhaven has been brewing on the same Dunbar site since 1719. They are the oldest continuously-operating brewery in Scotland.
Is Belhaven independent?
No. Belhaven was acquired by Greene King in 2005, and Greene King was acquired by Asahi (a Japanese multinational) in 2019. Belhaven is now part of a global brewing group, despite the heritage branding.
What is Belhaven Best?
A 3.2% smooth Scottish ale — the volume cask ale of the Scottish central belt, available in nearly every pub. Sessionable, malty, gentle. Reliable rather than exciting.
Is Wee Heavy good?
Yes — properly traditional 6.5% Scottish strong ale. Sweet, malty, dried-fruit notes. One of the few Wee Heavy beers still widely available.
Can you tour the Belhaven brewery?
Yes — Saturdays only, £15, 90 minutes. Booking required. The 1719 heritage and the well water are the main interest; the modern brewery itself is functional rather than historic.
Where can I buy Belhaven beer?
Belhaven Best, Wee Heavy, and 80/- are in nearly every Scottish supermarket. Greene King-owned pubs across the UK serve Belhaven on tap. No direct online shop — buy via Beer Hawk or supermarkets.
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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