Spotlight - Paisley Craft Beer Co

SPOTLIGHT

Paisley Craft Beer Co.

One of the most eagerly awaited aspects of Paisley’s Food and Drink Festival in April was the return of the Renfrewshire CAMRA Beer Tent.

Craft beers have certainly grown in popularity in recent years, offering people the opportunity to drink all kinds of creative and unique beers. Now thanks to one local entrepreneur, you don’t have to wait another year to try out the latest flavours.

Jamie Cockburn launched Paisley Craft Beer Co during lockdown and has recently launched his new store and tasting room in the town’s Silk Street. “I've worked in retail most my life, including working in the Paisley Centre for five years,” explained Jamie. “During the initial lockdown, I had decided I wanted something better for myself, as well as something a bit closer to home. “I was actually looking online for some craft beer to be delivered from shops in Glasgow and I thought to myself, it would be so handy if there was something a bit more local and a light bulb clicked.” “We opened just before Christmas so we are still quite a new business,” he added. “I wanted to open up in Paisley because it’s a great town with great potential and I want to be part of the town’s growth. “People from Paisley are fiercely proud of their town, myself included. The Paisley pattern is a great way to differentiate yourself from anywhere else in Scotland. It's part of our identity and that's why our logo includes the pattern.” Paisley Craft Beer Co stocks craft beer from all over Scotland, the UK and further afield but Jamie is especially keen to stock local products as well. “We have beers brewed close by in Barrhead & Langbank, as well as gin, rum, cocktails and soft drinks from Paisley based companies,” said Jamie. “I think the growing popularity in craft beer is down to variety. There is so much more to beer than just lager – don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad thing, we have some lovely lagers. “But the first time I had a sour beer, it blew my mind and I just wanted to try everything.” With a great space on the corner of Silk Street and Lawn Street, the beers you buy from the shop can also be enjoyed on the premises for no extra charge. “We also had our first tasting at the start of April with Glasgow brewery Simple Things Fermentations, and that was a lot of fun,” continued Jamie. “We don't have any tastings planned right now but it's something we want to do more of. We also have some other things in the pipeline such as game nights being planned and exciting pop-up, so watch this space.”

So what is this expert’s top pick for someone who is looking to try some exciting new craft beers? I wanted to open up “Going into summer means fruited beers,” said Jamie. in Paisley because “Whether that is sour beers it’s a great town with or Radlers, sitting in the sun great potential and drinking a lovely fruit beer will be super refreshing.

I want to be part of

the town’s growth. “I would recommend any of the sours from Edinburgh brewery Vault City or a nice Schofferhofer Grapefruit Radler.” Just six months after opening, the future is certainly looking bright for the Paisley Craft Beer Co. “I would really like the business to inspire others,” Jamie told us. “I would love to see a craft beer scene here in Paisley, like in Dundee. I would also like other niche businesses to pop up as well, because if a craft beer shop can do it, other niche craft shops can do it too.”

Paisley Craft Beer Co. 16 Silk Street, Paisley www.paisleycraftbeer.com