Records of Heather Ale Ltd, brewers, Strathaven, Scotland
- Reference:GB 248 HA
- Dates of Creation:1993-2004
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:0.14 linear metres
Scope and Content
- Product sales literature 1993-1999;
- Packaging 1990s;
- Printed ephemera 1996;
- Labels 1995-1997;
- Press cuttings 1993-1997;
- House Magazines and Newsletters, 2004.
Administrative / Biographical History
Production began in 1993 after Bruce and Scott Williams experimented with a recipe, written in Gaelic, that they had been given for heather ale. Initially the West Highland Brewery in Taynuilt was used for the production of the ale, but an increase in demand towards the end of the year compelled a move to the Thistle Brewery, which was owned by Maclays of Alloa. Production was seasonal and coincided with heather gathering, but developments in storage led to a year round supply.
In 1994 Heather Ale registered as a limited liability company under the name Williams World Agency, but in 1995 they registered a name change to Heather Ale Ltd. 1995 also saw the first export to the United States. In 1996 production was expanded to include Grozet, an ale made from gooseberries.
By 2001 the company also produced Alba, a Scots pine ale, Ebulum, an elderberry black ale, and Kelpie, an organic seaweed ale. In 1997 the company was the winner in the "Drinks" section, and received the Supreme Award in the "Food from Scotland Excellence Awards", at the Royal Highland Show.
Source: Smith, Gavin D. "The Scottish Beer Bible. The Essential Guide to over 150 Scottish Beers and Lagers" (Edinburgh: Mercat, 2001)
Arrangement
The material is arranged according to the Scottish Brewing Archive classification scheme used within all SBA collections.
Access Information
Access to records within this collection is open, however an appointment may be required. Please email Archives and Special Collections for advice: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk
Acquisition Information
Heather Ale Ltd
Other Finding Aids
See also University of Glasgow Collections
File level list available in searchroom
Alternative Form Available
No known copies of this material
Conditions Governing Use
Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents. Applications for permission to quote should be sent to Archives and Special Collections, please email: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk
Appraisal Information
This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures
Custodial History
Held at the Scottish Brewing Archive at Glasgow University. Custody of the Scottish Brewing Archive was transferred to Glasgow University Archive Services in 2008.
Accruals
Possible
Related Material
- GB 248 M: Records of Maclay & Co Ltd
Location of Originals
This material is original
Subjects
Corporate Names
Geographical Names