When a world-famous cyclist pops into your bar to sample the velodrome-inspired craft beer, you know you’re onto a winner.
From the omnium and peloton to the echelon and the madison, British cycling star Mark Cavendish must’ve felt right at home when he rolled into Six Degrees North, the Aberdeen bar where bikes and beer go hand in hand.
“Mark Cavendish came in after some cycling event,” says Sam Pitt who runs the Littlejohn Street pub.
“He knew that Robert Lindsay, the Six Degrees North owner, was a cycling fan so that’s why he came.
“It’s funny though as the person on the bar at the time didn’t know who he was but he had his cycling gear on so she asked him if he does cycling and he smiled and said ‘I do cycle’.
Brewing up success
Despite no racing track in sight nor the distinctive sound of whirring bike wheels or steeply banked curves, Six Degrees North is in the right gear when it comes to craft beer.
Intrigued by its quirky Belgian-style craft beer and bike-themed pints, Society caught up with Sam Pitt who runs the venue to get the lowdown.
“The owner Robert Lindsay lived in Belgium for a few years and he really loved the beer so he came and brewed Belgian-style craft beer over here,” says Sam.
“A lot of breweries now just brew American-style IPAs, so he really concentrated on the Belgian side which is quite unique to us.”
Over the past nine years, the talented north-east based team at Six Degrees North have been producing modern, artisanal beers from their distillery which is now based at Laurencekirk.
Together with their bar in Aberdeen, the team also owns and operates bars in Stonehaven at The Marine Hotel and also at Dynamo in Dundee.
Six Degrees North keep things ‘as unpretentious as possible’
Moving up from Essex to Aberdeen to study psychology at Aberdeen University, Sam says he’s not looked back since landing his dream job working with beer all day at the Littlejohn Street bar.
“It’s a nice place to work as the people are really nice and passionate about the same things that I like such as good beer,” laughs Sam.
“It’s also quite a relaxed atmosphere as I’d previously worked in hotels where you call people Sir or Madam but now I call people pal which is quite nice as you feel that you’re on everyone else’s level instead of waiting on them hand and foot.”
A self-confessed beer connoisseur, Sam’s hoppy knowledge knows no bounds.
“I’ve always liked beer and you definitely get really into beer when you spend 40 hours a week doing beer related work,” says Sam.
“I think a lot of people think that craft beer is quite a pretentious thing but we try to be as unpretentious as possible.
“We always speak to people and tell them what they want to know about it without making them feel like there’s this big knowledge gap.
“But you just need to know what flavours you like and we’ll try and find you something nice.
“It’s really satisfying when you can make someone happy.”
Aberdeen bar has 24 beer taps
With 24 beer taps, including 10 of their own beers, there’s something to suit all discerning beer palettes.
“One of our most popular drinks is the Peleton lager, as you can tell the owner Robert loves cycling so a lot of them are bike-themed,” says Sam.
“The wheat beer Wanderlust is also very popular as is the Omnium IPA.”
The raspberry and cherry beers have also went down well.
“We started brewing some fruit beers so we’ve got a raspberry and a cherry one and we sell a lot of those,” says Sam
“They’re quite accessible for those who don’t like standard beers as they’re fruity and sweet.”
Local spirit (and drinks) always on offer
As well as their own beers, the bar also supports other local beer and spirit producers.
“We always have a tap from Brew Toon in Peterhead as well as local gin such as Esker, Porters and Teesmiths,” says Sam.
“We also stock about 30 whiskies, wine and alcohol free beer.
“Or we have tea and coffee if people are just looking for a cuppa.”
One of the best things about working at Six Degrees North for Sam is the community spirit.
“I think we are part of the community as we do see the same faces and there’s this group of old boys who’ve been coming in very Saturday afternoon for as long as I’ve been there,” says Sam.
“We know them by name and we have wee jokes with them.
“It’s nice to have folk like that coming in.”
Smoke and Soul
As well as craft beer, customers can also enjoy sensational grub from Smoke and Soul, an independent food residency based within the bar.
From comfort food like nachos and mac and cheese to sriracha burgers and dirty fries, there’s plenty of hearty food on offer.
“We’ve got Smoke and Soul in the kitchen, they’ve been there for three years now,” says Sam.
“It’s a symbiotic relationship as it benefits both parties.”
From Essex to Aberdeen
With his dry humour and chilled out demeanour, Sam has quickly found his feet in Aberdeen.
“We’ve got a great team, I can’t fault them as we get on really well,” says Sam.
“Since moving up from Essex I’ve settled in very well as my fiancee Alison lives with me and we just bought our second house and we’ve got a wee Labrador.
“My parents also moved up here from Essex at the end of last year so the whole clan is up here now.
“They’ve moved to Aberdeenshire and they’re very happy, they’re loving it.”
In life as in work, Sam is also very happy after undergoing a life-changing transformation.
“I did a big weight loss in lockdown so I enjoy going to the gym now,” says Sam.
“I lost six stone and it has made a huge difference as I now have more energy and I enjoy doing exercise, it’s not a hassle now.
“Once you get into the routine of eating less and doing more it just becomes what you do.”
For more information about Six Degrees North go to their website, Facebook and Instagram.
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