Glasgow's craft beer scene is arguably the biggest and strongest it has ever been.
In seemingly all corners of the city, small, independent brewers are bringing us beautiful lagers, IPAs, pilseners and more, many of which you can enjoy at Glasgow's best pubs and bars.
Some of the brewers have been so successful, they're sending the beers across Scotland, down south and even overseas, due to popular demand.
Meanwhile, several of our city breweries will showcase their best stuff and be celebrated at the upcoming Glasgow Craft Beer Festival, which takes place at SWG3 on Friday and Saturday, July 8 and 9.
READ MORE: Glasgow Craft Beer Festival brewery, food and music lineup announced featuring Optimo
And one such Glasgow-based brewery on the list is the hugely popular Hidden Lane. If you haven't yet popped by and sampled one of their brilliant beers, then why not?
The brewery, one of many excellent local businesses part of a collective based the unique Finnieston spot The Hidden Lane, was launched by Rachel Suttle in 2019 after she decided to combine years of hospitality experience with her passion for all things beer.
We caught up with her to find out why Glaswegians should be paying Finnieston's first and Glasgow's only organic beer brewery a visit.
What is the Hidden Lane Brewery?
"We are brewery based in The Hidden Lane in Finnieston that’s fully organic. Our current range is fully vegan as well and that’s something we’re going to stick to too.
"The brewery is in an old garage that we completely transformed into a brewery that was very lovingly done. It was very much not in walk in condition, we had to put in all the kit in and things like that.
Can you explain what The Hidden Lane is?
"The Hidden Lane is a collective of cafes, shops, street food, recording studios and the residents are trying to make it a bit of a destination. People come and use one element of it then leave again so we’re just trying to make it all a bit of a community down there.
"My heart is in Finnieston through the other businesses I've worked with and it’s personally been fantastic to see it grow over the past 14 years."
What does Hidden Lane Brewery do?
"When we started in 2019 we were mainly supplying the bar trade. Obviously the pandemic hit just as we were getting started. Unfortunately that turned the business model on its head so we started doing a lot of online orders, trying to supply the smaller retailers, with the move to hopefully supply bigger retailers as well.
"It’s all about Glasgow and working with some of the amazing artisan restaurants we’ve got as well, getting their teams to come down to the brewery, we’ll do a two hour tasting session and have them go through all the products with Peter, our head brewer.
"Now that the hospitality sector is back up and running again, my heart is in working with bars and their teams, it’s a bit of a passion of mine. So we’re back working with more bars and trying to support them.
"We’re a female-led, but not female-only brewery. Everyone’s equal and that’s the kind of environment I like to keep as well. Inclusivity, sustainability and organic are the pillars we’re trying to work with."
What beers do you brew?
"Our products come both on draft and in cans as well. We’ve got a huge range of everything.
"We’ve got some saisons, some IPAs, some big IPAs as well, lagers which are really popular. We’ve started collaborations with Bier Halle - we’ve created a German-style lager for them which they absolutely love. It’s good to collaborate and work with people.
"Our tropical ales are - I hate to say it - like our Coca Cola. There’s not one person who doesn’t love them and they're by far our most popular product."
How can people buy your beers?
"With the brewery being in such a prominent position, we’ve got an off-licence licence. Our own brewery shop sells our products, our core range and some of our trial brews. The shop’s open Friday, 4-8 and Saturday 12-5 and you can buy online at Liquid Vault - https://www.liquidvault.co.uk/
"We also get other people to come in to our shop too. The likes of Woodwinters Wines and Whiskies have done pop-ups at our shop and we’ve been like a small retail unit for Panther Milk too and we’re continuing to do that to help other brands have a space in a common location. It’s all about spreading the love and helping each other."
Do you do tours?
"We do tours as well and we’re starting to pick them up again, two Saturdays a month - there’s a booking system on our new website hiddenlanebrewery.com.
"The tours are around 90 minutes long, you get talked through the whole kit, we’ll talk about our story and the history of our beer and you can buy beer to take home with you at a discounted rate.
"You can book in private tours as well for your teams at any time too and we get food in as well."
What would you say to Glaswegians who haven't yet visited?
"We’re very passionate about beer. Come down The Hidden Lane - don’t be frightened. Turn right and we’re the building with the blue doors. Just come and have a chat!.Obviously we’d love you to buy beer from our shop, but come and have a look and give it a try. There’s something for everyone.
"Even if you don’t like beer, I always try convince people they’ll like something when they leave.
"If you’re out and about, get a pint from one of our customers and support them as well. It’s a big circle - if you support them then it’s going to support us.
"Don’t be shy, come and see us and give us a try - we’d really appreciate it."
Hidden Lane Brewery is based at The Hidden Ln, Finnieston, Glasgow, G3 8ND, just off Argyle Street
To find out more about Hidden Lane Brewery, make sure to give them a follow on Instagram here.
For more on The Hidden Lane, it's here.
We spoke to the Hidden Lane Brewery which is one of several independent Glasgow businesses supporting the Made In Glasgow campaign. To find out more and follow the #MadeinGlasgow trail, you can visit @experienceglasgow on Instagram here.
