Edinburgh rugby club announces new lager honouring legend Scott Hastings

A new lager has been launched at an Edinburgh rugby club to honour the life and legacy of rugby legend Scott Hastings.

Watsonian Football Club has teamed up with Harviestoun Brewery to introduce Hastings 13 Lager permanently on tap at its Myreside ground.

The tribute commemorates the former Watsonians, Scotland and British & Irish Lions centre, who passed away earlier this year.

Harviestoun Brewery launching a Hastings 13 Lager tap in memory of rugby legend Scott Hastings. Left to right - Corey Hastings, Gavin Hastings, and Kerry-Anne Hastings. | Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com

Harviestoun introduced Hastings 13 lager at the recent celebration of Scott's life, in collaboration with Myreside pavilion operator Heart of Midlothian, and now the brewery and club have introduced the lager at Myreside as part of a sponsorship deal to support Watsonian FC's growth.

The official launch took place at Myreside before the opening home fixtures of the season, on Saturday September 5, when both the men's and women's 1st XVs were in action.

John McLellan, president of Watsonian Football Club, said: “Scott Hastings represented the very best of what it means to be a Watsonian and as a hugely influential character who was the life and soul of any party I’m sure he would have loved the idea of raising a glass of his own beer to the club’s future.

“Harviestoun is one of our longest-serving and most important sponsors, and the club is privileged to work with them to embed the brewery into Myreside history. Having the Hastings 13 tap permanently on the bar gives our members, players, and supporters a meaningful way to celebrate Scott’s memory and spirit every single matchday.”

Left to right - John McLellan (president of Watsonians), Andrew McKnight (CEO Harviestoun), Gavin Hastings, and Graeme Pacitti (hospitality and hotel operations director at Heart of Midlothian FC) | Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com

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Scott’s brother, former Watsonians, Scotland and Lions captain Gavin Hastings said: “Our family’s connection to Myreside runs incredibly deep, and as a tireless champion of the club both on and off the field, I’m sure he would be very proud that our name will continue to be associated with celebration at Myreside, but also the future welfare of the club.

“When Harviestoun stepped up to work with Heart of Midlothian and created the Hastings 13 lager for Scott's celebration of life, it meant a great deal to our family. Bringing this tribute permanently into the clubhouse alongside Harviestoun’s wider support is a wonderful way to connect our family, the club, and Scott’s legacy.”

Andrew McKnight of Harviestoun Brewery, said: “It’s a real privilege to continue partnering with Watsonian FC and work alongside the Hastings family. Crafting the Hastings 13 beer to commemorate Scott was a deeply meaningful project for our team.

“We are proud to recognise the club’s past, whilst supporting the club’s future across both the men’s and women’s games, while honouring one of Scottish rugby's true greats.”