Edinburghs Gone Batty

As can be read about here Edinburgh is soon to see its only functional Brewpub. Glasgow currently has 2, The Clockwork Beer Company, and another i refuse to give any publicity to, due to their insane choice of charging £2.50 for a half pint, while only charging £3.50 for a full pint.
 
Edinburgh many years ago had a brewpub in the form of McCowans Brewhouse, but this has sadly only been operating as a pub for the last few years, with the Kit on display as expensive window dressing. Rob Knops of Knops brewery did try to lease this kit and put it to good use, but sadly the owners were not interested.

Now while i cant add any meat to the bones of TheBeerCast article i still thought this great event was worth blogging about, Edinburgh has seen many changes in the last few years, with great old standing Cask pubs such as Cloisters and The Bow Bar, offering a better range of keg beers. Replacing Guinness with Black Isle porter was move that just hasn't had enough praise or promotion and how smoothly 99% of drinkers transitioned is a testament to these bars, But we have also seen them offering up stronger ABV beers, holding many more Themed or Brewery promotion nights and actively promoting great beer.

Along side that we have seen the opening of the Likes of Brewdog, and the Holy Trinity of Holyrood 9A, Red Squirrel, and The Southern, offering many keg beers from the likes of  Nogne and Mikkeller.

However, in my eyes at least Edinburgh just hasnt changed quite enough, there have been numerous occasion where the turnover of particular cask or keg beers has been particularly slow. The geek market just isnt as big as i migth have hoped.

Thus when i first heard rumours of the Hanging Bat, i wondered was there room for another cool keg bar. But i think they have found the niche that will make  it work for them, and thats the Brewpub.

Being able to offer their own beers, will make them stand out.
Their location will compliment and enhance both themselves but the other great bars within a short distance walk.  
Offering a chance for people to brew beer that will then be sold in pub, was a stroke of genius, as who isnt going to want to visit the pub to try the beer their mate helped make. Plus i know of at least 5 great home brewers that let loose on the Kit can only enhance the bars reputation, and if each brewer is marketed to include who brewed it, then im sure they will get people coming back time and time again to try the next beer by brewer X. 

All told i think this place looks to be a great addition to the Edinburgh beer scene. My only one reservation is that if this place is anywhere as successful as i think it might be, a brewkit where you can only brew one keg at a time may just be more hassle than its worth.