Brewery tapping into ‘thrill-seeking tourism’

Durty Brewing is an existing ground floor retail building at 4 Traquair Road, selling a variety of craft ales.

Inspired by the trails and landscape of the Borders, Durty Brewery was founded by Paul McGreal and Gordon Donald.

Its “life-affirming beers” include ‘Angry Sheep’, ‘Escape Route’, ‘Repeat Offender’. ‘Helter Skelter’ and ‘End of the World’.

Now an application for a provisional premises licence has been granted by Scottish Borders Licensing Board to create a new craft brewery and taproom to showcase beers produced on site.

The front of the building will form the primary public taproom space, including the bar area and toilet facilities.

A smaller second public area is intended for small events, private hires and private tasting sessions.

The rear of the building houses the brewing equipment and the aim is to sell alcohol on an off-sale basis.

Applicant Paul McGreal told the licensing board that the application was specifically aimed at the town’s tourist trade, particularly mountain bikers.

He said: “We envisage it as part of the tourism offer in the area as much as anything else and it is catering for quite a specific demographic, particularly visitors, mountain bikers and other outdoor-orientated kind of people, and it is located next to an existing licensed premises as well.”

Licensing board chair Councillor Marshall Douglas said: “I whole-heartedly welcome this application. I think it ideal for the tourism offering in the town.”