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Why this Argyll brewery is one of Scotland’s Fynest

Fyne Ales have been a Scottish craft beer staple for more than two decades - here's my review of three of their most popular brews.

The three Fyne Ales beers being reviewed in bottles, side by side.
I tried these three classic brews from Fyne Ales — which was best?

Fyne Ales, based at the northern shores of Loch Fyne south-east of Oban, have a well-deserved place on supermarket shelves and beer taps all across Scotland.

I’ve always enjoyed their stuff, particularly because it’s so widely available, but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago when Fierce Beer boss Dave Grant named the Fyne Ales classic Jarl as one of his third favourite Scottish beer ever that I decided they needed a proper look.

Here’s my review of three classics from their core range you can get from good bottleshops and bigger supermarkets all across the country — including Jarl, so we can see if that Fierce guy really knows his beer or not.

Fyne Ales beer 1: Avalanche pale ale

Avalanche from Fyne Ales poured out into a glass.
Avalanche from Fyne Ales.

Avalanche is the oft-overlooked brother of Jarl, but it’s well worth your time.

It’s the most straight-forward of the bunch I’m reviewing here, but that’s no weakness as it does exactly what it says on the tin: “thirst-quenching”.

Crisp and extremely light-bodied, it’s a great shout for beer lovers who don’t really steer far from lagers and want some liquid refreshment after a massive hike.

Rating: 3.5/5

Fyne Ales beer 2: Highlander Scottish amber

The Highlander amber ale poured out into a glass.
The Highlander amber ale from Fyne Ales.

Established in 2001, Fyne Ales have been a popular brewery with traditionalists for years, and while they do make a lot of great more modern-style brews, their core range still sticks firmly to their roots.

And Highlander is the perfect example of this, a really classic old-school Scottish Amber.

Richly full-bodied and toffee-sweet, it’s like a warming pint of Jamaica Ginger cake, without being too cloying. Ideal for a cold evening.

Rating: 4/5

Fyne Ales beer 3: Jarl session blonde

A bottle of Jarl from Dyne Ales poured out into a glass.
My bottle of Jarl.

The beer, the myth, the legend, Jarl from Fyne Ales is definitely the best of its kind in Scotland in my opinion.

Super full-bodied but jam-packed with lemony, floral flavours, it’s one of the best bang-for-your-buck beers you can buy today at just north of two quid.

What I love about Jarl most is how flavourful it is, despite the low booze level of 3.8% — meaning it’s perfect for long, summer days.

A pint of Jarl next to a beer tap.
A pint of Jarl from Fyne Ales on cask. Image: Fyne Ales

It’s great in bottle,  but if you can find it on cask in a pub (which plenty of good bars routinely do), seek it out.

Rating: 4.5/5

Kieran is a former craft beer barman and publishes his beer column every Tuesday online. You can also read his column in the P&J’s Food and Drink magazine, which you can find inside your Press and Journal newspaper every Saturday.

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