McEwans

of Edinburgh, Scotland

Brewers of McEwan's Beer.

1856 The Fountain Brewery was opened by William McEwan in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh.

1857 William McEwan introduced Steel's patent mashing machine to the company.

1860s The company was exporting to the colonies.

1886 William McEwans' nephew, James Younger, became manager of the company.

1889 The company became a public company: William McEwan and Co Ltd

1900s The brewery had a large share of the market throughout Scotland and north-east England, and was exporting to Australia, New Zealand India and South Africa.

1907 Boroughlock Brewery was acquired from Alexander Melvin and Co.

1931 McEwan's merged with William Younger and Co becoming Scottish Brewers.

1960 The company merged again joining with Newcastle Breweries to form Scottish and Newcastle.

2004 In February Scottish and Newcastle announced the closure of McEwan's Brewery, at the same time as partially buying Caledonian Brewery in Slateford, Edinburgh.

2005 In June McEwan's Brewery finally closed, with production of the McEwan's and Younger's beers being transferred to the Caledonian Brewery.

• A list of McEwans Beers:
  • McEwan's Scotch AleMcEwan's 60/- (3.2% abv)
  • McEwan's 70/- (3.7% abv) is a stronger version of the above - otherwise known as 'Special'
  • McEwan's 80/- (4.5% abv) is a strong Scottish Ale otherwise known as 'heavy'.
  • McEwan's Lager was introduced in the 1970s as lager became more popular.
  • McEwan's Export (4.5% abv) is a strong, caramelised dark beer originally made for export. It remains one of the most popular canned or bottled beers in Scotland
  • McEwan's India Pale Ale (4.7%abv)
  • McEwan's Champion ale (7.3% abv) recently labelled as McEwan’s No. 1 Champion is an extremely sweet beer with flavours of toffee.
  • McEwan's Scotch Ale (8.0% abv)
  • McEwan's Best Scotch (3.6% abv)

"/- Is an old writing convention for shillings. The 60, 70 and 80 shilling beers are named after the original duty on a barrel.

See Also

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Sources of Information

• [1] Wikipedia
• Trademarked. A History of Well-Known Brands - from Aertex to Wright's Coal Tar by David Newton. Pub: Sutton Publishing 2008 ISBN 978-0-7509-4590-5