Scottish craft brewer ramps up online delivery lifeline after 2000% surge

One of Scotland’s longest established craft brewers is ramping up its next day delivery service amid “devastating” restrictions on the hospitality sector.

Stuart Cook, joint managing director at Harviestoun Brewery, which has been brewing in the shadow of the Ochil Hills in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, since 1983. Picture: Chris Watt Photography

Harviestoun Brewery has been making its beers in Alva, in the shadow of the Ochil Hills, since 1983, pre-dating the craft brewing phenomenon. Bitter & Twisted and Schiehallion are its most famous products.

Joint managing director Stuart Cook said the stricter restrictions announced recently by the Scottish Government impacting five health board areas in central Scotland had come as a “devastating blow to both breweries and pubs around Scotland”.

He said: “Pubs shutting initially for the lockdown meant a devastating 75 per cent of our revenue disappeared overnight.

“Thankfully, a nimble change in strategy to online sales allowed us to get through what was undoubtedly one of the toughest times the brewery has known.

“We’ve seen a record 2000 per cent increase in online beer and lager sales since launching our new next-day home delivery service during lockdown.

“Just as the Scottish on-trade was starting to recover though, these [new] measures will be a devastating blow to both the local breweries and the pubs that they supply and partner with.

“All we can do at Harviestoun is continue to ramp up our online next day delivery service and hope that, for the sake of all our wonderful on-trade licensees and customers that these measures do not extend past 25 October.”

Outside of the restricted central belt areas, alcohol can only be served in outdoor areas until 10pm. Harviestoun said it would continue deliveries to pubs in areas not affected by the tighter restrictions.

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