ONE OF the UK’s most popular craft breweries has launched a brand-new bar in Edinburgh following a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Located in the heart of Portobello, just a stone’s throw from Vault City’s brewery, Porty Vault opens today (Friday 8 July).
The intimate 42-capacity bar on Portobello High Street boasts an impressive 36-tap set-up, serving up to 20 Vault City favourites – including their White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake and Tonka Black Forrest Gateau flavoured brews – as well as a range of guest beers, wines, mead and cider.
The venue also includes a food operation run by award winning chef and “low-n-slow” BBQ specialist Darren Lim, who’s expertly crafted menu will be cooked on an authentic American BBQ smoker imported from the States.
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The venture has been backed by hundreds of sour beer fans, who crowdfunded more than £45,000 to help co-founder Steven Smith Hay and his team bring their vision to life.
Steven, a former IT consultant who began brewing beers in his kitchen in Murrayfield, said he is “overwhelmed” with the support shown for the venue ahead of its opening.
He said: “Opening a bar and smokehouse in the heart of Portobello just five minutes from the brewery itself is an absolute dream come true – but knowing so many people have supported us along the way to bring this vision to life is the cherry on top.”
“The people of Portobello have supported us from the moment we opened our brewery 18 months ago, so Porty Vault is our way of saying thank you.”
“I’m completely overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from sour beer fans and locals alike, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors of the Porty Vault to share and celebrate our love for craft beer and authentic, American BBQ food.”
Porty Vault is Vault City’s second bar in Scotland’s capital following the successful opening of The Wee Vault in the city’s Haymarket last November.
“We love the vibrancy and personality that Portobello has to offer and we want to play our part in growing the local economy to help the area become the best it can be,” Steven added.
“This is an exciting step forward for Vault City. Although our roots are firmly in Portobello, it definitely feels as though there is scope to potentially expand outside of Edinburgh, if there is demand.”
“However, our focus for the moment is still firmly on what we can achieve here in the capital and we’re just thrilled that more people are joining the sour beer movement.”
Porty Vault will be open from 12pm seven days a week, operating until 10pm from Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday.
It is the latest exciting development in what has already been a stellar year for Vault City Brewing.
The brewer launched its first-ever core range across 200 independent bars, pubs and taprooms across the UK earlier this year. It is now available in more than 600 Tesco stores nationwide, and recently became the supermarket giant’s best selling craft beer.
Furthermore, their Bruichladdich Barrel Aged Whisky Sour Beer collaboration with Brewgooder has been nominated for ‘Brewing Product of the Year’ at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards, which will be held on Thursday 8 September.
To book a table for the newly opened Porty Vault, or to explore Vault City’s extensive range of modern sour beers, visit their website.
