Brewery launches Homecoming ale

Jun 19 2009 by Stuart Wilson

A HOMECOMING ale is set to put a twist on Robert Burns’ birthday.

Ayrshire’s Windie Goat Brewery has launched its first bottled ale from its microbrewery at Failford.

The Highland Lassie is named after Mary Campbell, the nursemaid to whom

Burns dedicated at least four of his poems.

And the brewery, located within The Failford Inn, sits in the same village where Burns reputedly

“pledged his troth” to Campbell in 1786.

Made on January 25 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Burns’s birth, more than one-third of the limited edition bottles were sold immediately on release.

Brewmaster Michelle Kelsall, who owns and operates The Failford Inn with husband Chris, is delighted with the microbrewery’s first foray into bottled ale.

Highland Lassie is the commemorative 100th fermentation from their brew pub.

She said: “We wanted something different and special for the 100th brew, and this

seemed like a good idea.

“At 6.5 per cent, it is a stronger beer than what we would usually make, but we

had to do that to balance the flavours.”

Owners of The Failford Inn since 2003, the Kelsalls launched the Windie Goat Brewery in May 2006. Its regular cask brews include the award-winning Peden’s Cove and Priest’s Wheel, as well as Sheep Linne, Gutter Slab, Boat Hole and The Dubh.

Highland Lassie is available to purchase at The Failford Inn, which was named “Best Pub in Scotland” for 2008 by independent consumer organisation CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

It can also be ordered through the brewery’s new online shop www.windiegoat.co.uk