CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Beer (was going to be cycle-friendly shops)

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  1. SRD
    Moderator

    Was going to call this thread cycle friendly shops, but that is only half appropriate.

    First, have been meaning to mention Alba brewing supplies, round the corner from Bruntfield primary. I often see the chap there opening up, he usually arrives on bike and en lycra.

    Second, out on foot last night, I went past 'drinkmonger' in Bruntsfield, and will be going back to check it out better. Light and bright, amazing range of beers (mostly Scottish and imported, a few English), very helpful staff. I was particularly pleased that they helped me with buggy and door, despite shop being busy, unlike Oddbins, which was empty and neither shop assistant bothered to notice me struggling to get in and out.

    Shop is bigger and less idiosyncratic than Cornelius, but still basically a local shop.

    Lest I be accused of bias, I should also mention that here is also another new place by the Tollcross bus stop, which Mr SRD has high impressions of, but I have not been in yet.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Humph! When I lived up at Bruntsfield the off licence closed down and was reduced to Tesco for nearest beer vendor

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. gembo
    Member

    Oddbins staff always let me take bike inside. Still not come up with the Janz champagne from Tasmania though.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Was in Great Grog near the Commie Pool for the first time in a while on Saturday night (having a weekend off the gluten-free) - cracking range in there. Locally the Edinburgh Wine Co. in Porty has a brilliant selection.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. ruggtomcat
    Member

    in dagada and cloisters they have removed the guinness in favor of black isle porter, which is far superior!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. crowriver
    Member

    Trying to remember the last time I had a beer. Hogmanay I think.
    Have cut down on the booze so far in 2012. Had a solitary glass of rioja last night and my system did not know what had hit it. Started to get very sleepy. Not planning on going teetotal but it is strange how quickly your body gets used to a reduced or minimal intake of alcohol.

    So, in short, don't look in my direction any time soon for recommendations of cycle-friendly booze outlets!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. Morningsider
    Member

    Vino at the corner of Morningside Drive/Comiston Road has a great selection of beers, lagers and ciders (250 apparently). Staff are very knowledgable and they seem to be able to source just about anyting you might want. Not cheap mind - but usually my first point of call for beers. No "proper" bike parking to speak of - just a variety of traffic sign poles nearby.

    Henderson Wines further up Comiston Road also good - particularly if you like heavy duty German lagers and Rauch beers.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Peter Green Wines on Marchmont Road has racks outside. It's a nice shop with a decent range of independent beers, but more focussed on the wines. Also some less frequently sold spirits available, interesting range of deceased whiskies, including Linlithgow 1982 at some ridiculous price. Owner very friendly and helpful, especially for a wine luddite like me.

    Vino Wine Shops (there's one on George Street and one in Stockbridge) have an utterly ridiculous range of beers, makes choosing what you want nigh-on impossible.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Darkerside
    Member

    Somewhat oddly, Morrisons always seem to stock an impressive variety of ales. Not normally anything too micro, but certainly a decent range of the standard breweries.

    As an aside, a few years back (fresh from England) I foolishly asked for a pint of bitter at a Glasgow pub and only just avoided receiving a full glass of bitter lemon...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. SRD
    Moderator

    I go to ASDA for babywipes etc, and they often have Brakspear and Badger ales at good prices. I like them because some of theirs are 3-4%. Story over the weekend about TESCO launching a range of 3% beers - will be checking them out.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Morrisons have a half-decent range of ciders too. Certainly better than Tesco or Asda.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. ARobComp
    Member

    Seconded for Great Grog near the commy pool.

    It's got some fantastic beers on offer particularly from american micro brews and occasionally some of the rarer brewdog lines.
    They also have a GREAT selection of wines including "bottles for around a 5er" that I've never been disappointed with.
    Best of all they've got a fridge with cold beers in which is great for when you just want to grab a cold one for when you get home.

    Anyone ever cycled up to Stewarts brewery shop?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. Uberuce
    Member

    I'm fond of Winehouse at the foot of Ashley Terrace/Shandon Thingmy. The shop's too small to have a great selection but the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Bike parking nearby is rubbish, alas.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. Morningsider
    Member

    ARobComp - yes, it's in the industrial estate behind Ikea. Not too bad a cycle - I went up via Fairmilehead and then through Old Pentland (past Damside organics shop) to avoid the nasty road from the Kaimes junction.

    Mini-kegs not ideal for transport in a backpack though!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. ARobComp
    Member

    @Morningsider - Cool well I'll give it a run in a week or so on saturday. I did wonder how to head up avoiding the busy roads as much as possible.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. PS
    Member

    The Beerhive on Rodney Street is worth a look - some good Belgians, Germans and Americans mixed in with the Scottish microbreweries. Ideally located for a combined trip to TBC as well.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. gembo
    Member

    @PS - never seen The Beerhive open. TBC always taking in their deliveries.

    Appellation Wines at Haymarket (start of Dalry Road just up from Sweary Jim's Barbers has phenomenal range of beers. My favourite William's Bros. Ginger Beer 3.8% - dry not sweet). Wines too of course.

    @SRD spotted the 2.8% Tesco Beer story. Had wrong claim that average abv in Tesco is 4%. I'd say 5%.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. spitters
    Member

    Speaking of Beer - when are we meeting up again?
    All in favour of the Athletic Arms (Diggers) say aye.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. gembo
    Member

    Spits do one of your diaries?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. spitters
    Member

    I'm waaay too busy at work and get shouted at for having anything on screen that looks remotely "fun"
    Doodle.com - have fun ;)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. SRD
    Moderator

    Went to an interesting beer tasting at Provenance wines last week. (this is the one by the Tollcross bus stop). Very enjoyable. I am also doing the brewing course on the afternoon of 10 March, in case any one else is interested. Led by the head brewer of http://www.knopsbeer.co.uk/

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. SRD
    Moderator

    3yo sent home from nursery with the pox. Popped into chemist at Polwarth roundabout to get the recommended soothing solution. Didn't have a lock with me, and the door was open, so I took the folder in. Was going to fold it, but there was lots of room, so I just propped it up out of the way. Apologized/explained to clerk who served me, who said not to worry.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  23. Instography
    Member

    @SRD
    Did you do the brewing course then? Was it good?

    Posted 9 years ago #

  24. SRD
    Moderator

    Yeah. It was. Not 'really' a course, more a tasting with added lecture/discussion. But after many years if beers festivals and tasting notes, I actually understood stuff that I'd heard talked about, but not fully grasped.

    Definitely recommended. He's now running the archer field brewery. There was talk of an expedition ?

    Posted 9 years ago #

  25. Instography
    Member

    Oh, I read it as a how to brew course. Was asking for a friend.

    Archerfield expedition. Now that could be worth some non-utility cycling.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  26. Arellcat
    Moderator

    (@SRD, I think there's a bit of it going around. My sister-in-law's niece just caught it, and she's not yet had her first birthday)

    Posted 9 years ago #

  27. SRD
    Moderator

    I didn't know what to expect. Some guys on it had done a fair bit of brewing already.

    Basically he broke it all down, and then we wandered out to the shop and tried a bunch of beers based on whatever we'd been talking about - water, hops etc.

    Really very good for me - interesting without being too technical/focussed.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  28. SRD
    Moderator

    We have a new winner - VDeep. distinct lack of on street bike parking, so we attached 4 bikes to a very visible pole and hoped for the best. As we went in the door, the waitress said 'do you have bikes?' and said we should bring them in. they stashed 4 bikes in the back of the restaurant. Doubt this would work at busy times, but very decent of them.

    http://www.vdeep.co.uk

    Posted 7 years ago #

  29. SRD
    Moderator

    Wheeled my folder - with two heavily loaded panniers - through the hugely crowded mini waitrose at Kings Cross Friday afternoon at 5.30pm. Decided i would be less obstructive than if I folded it and tried to carry/wheel it and two panniers. No one said a thing.

    (to keep on topic, I should perhaps note that I was buying beer for the journey)

    Posted 5 years ago #

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