Harviestoun Brewery Ltd

Started in a farm shed in 1983 by Ken Brooker, Harviestoun has become one of the bastions of Scottish microbrewing, based since 2004 in Alva, at the foot of the Ochil Hills whose pure water feeds the kettles — and whose neighbouring farms supply 80% of the malt. Its Bitter & Twisted was crowned Champion Beer of Britain in 2003 and World's Best Ale in 2007, its Schiehallion World's Best Pilsner in 2008, while the Ola Dubh series, aged in Highland Park whisky casks, blazed the trail for Scottish barrel-ageing. Independent once more since 2008, the brewery welcomes visits by arrangement.