Reconciliation beer aims to heal Referendum divide

A Capital entrepreneur is hoping to help voters to put aside their differences after Thursday’s referendum - by sharing a “referendum reconciliation” drink.

The Reconciliation Beer has been released by Edinburgh company in a bid to help heal the divides caused by the Independence referendum. Pic: comp

Stuart Ebdy - a former Scottish Young Entrepreneur of the Year - has launched a range of beers and wines designed to bring Yes and No voters back together after the big vote.

Stuart, 32, said he had grown increasingly concerned that the lengthy campaign has left the nation “divided” - and is hoping we can be reunited “in the best Scottish tradition”.

His firm, Caledonian Hampers, have now produced five litre kegs of ale that he hopes will be shared between divided voters in bid to bring them together regardless of what Scotland’s future holds.

The bridge building beer - brewed by an independent brewery in the west of Scotland - is four percent ABV and is described as a “light amber ale with a stunning floral aroma and a subtle bitter finish”.

Stuart, of Edinburgh, said he was still an undecided voter - but had been horrified at the “division” he had seen spring up among friends and family.

He said: “I think anyone who uses social media will have seen friends, family and colleagues arguing quite fervently about the referendum.

“One of my biggest fears isn’t about the economy or defence or anything like that post-referendum - it’s that people will fall out forever when we should be working together to make a better Scotland, independent or in the UK.

“I’m fed up of seeing people falling out about it.

“We need to remember that every voter is choosing what they believe is best for themselves and for scotland, so we should all respect each other no matter what as we all share this amazing country.”

Stuart, who runs an online gift business, added: “My gifts help bring people together, and I’ll be enjoying some beers on Thursday with a mixture of friends who are voting yes and no.

“That’s the way it should be - it’s in the best Scottish tradition to be together and be happy rather than there being bitterness and recrimination.”