It’s thought that Scotland’s first ever pint may have been poured in the Capital, with the 12th century monks of Holyrood Abbey producing ale from the clear spring water that still flows from St Margaret’s Well today.
And it was the process of creating beer that in part led to Edinburgh’s ‘Auld Reekie’ nickname, due to the smoke produced by coal and wood burning furnaces and boilers.
By the start of the 20th century the city had a remarkable 35 breweries and was one of the most important centres of beer making in the UK.
These days there are fewer, with the best known surviving name being the Caledonian Brewery in Slateford.
But smaller breweries have started popping up in recent years creating boutique beers, from the Campervan Brewery in the north of the city to Barney’s Bee r in the south.
Back in the 1950s and 1960s the industry was thriving, as these 28 pictures show.
Read more:
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.
If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.
13. Special delivery
Grey Percheron horses pulling an Usher's Brewery dray delivering beer to a bar in George Street in May 1960. Photo: Unknown
14. Lab work
The laboratory at the William Murray & Co Ltd brewery, in Craigmillar, in 1960. Photo: Unknown
15. Good plan
The plan of process at Edinburgh's Heriot Brewery in February 1964. Photo: Unknown
16. Gold watch
A retiral presentation to worker John Hood at Youngers Brewery in November 1963. Photo: Unknown