'UK first' brewery and distillery plan

Jan 18 2013 by Iain Howie, Perthshire Advertiser

Plans for a first-of-its-kind micro-brewery and distillery close to Methven could brew up benefits for tourism.

The Whisky Garden Limited (TWG) has lodged proposals with Perth and Kinross Council for the facility, with a commitment to tradition key to the plan.

Over time up to six jobs would be created at the ‘micro-distil-brewery’ site, which is next to Bluesky Experiences at Bachilton Farm, two miles west of the village.

In a “mission statement” lodged with the application, TWG said: “(The project) is to create a craft distillery and brewery to produce high quality products in the form of whisky and artisanal spirits together with real ales.

“TWG will also support and encourage tourism and education as we re-create the history of Scottish distilling and brewing.”

Its neighbour Bluesky Experiences, which offers team building and conference facilities, is expected to offer clients the chance to make their own beer or whisky as part of the plan.

The application has been built on work done with Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling.

A supporting statement says if approved it will be the first combined brewery and distillery in the UK and would tap into the trend of people sourcing smaller scale brewing rather than what it calls ‘industrial’ scale offerings.

The facility would also be supported by a supply of barley from the 750-acre farm and be a throw back to the days of when whisky was a farm-based industry.

And it says that it will also be different from others, using brewing copper rather than stainless steel opted for in modern sites.

It is also environmentally conscious, with farm animal feed and possibly ethanol - which can be used to power vehicles - being recovered from the processes.

The application also points out that William White founded a distillery in Methven in 1798.