Alloa's Brewing Heritage: A Story the World Should Know About

Mike Collier has highlighted Alloa's extraordinary brewing heritage as an underused asset for tourism and local economic development, calling for investment in heritage storytelling and visitor attraction infrastructure. Alloa was once one of Scotland's most important brewing centres, home to eight breweries at its peak in the late nineteenth century, earning the town the nickname 'the Burton of the North'. The town's position on the River Forth and its high-quality local water made it ideal for brewing, and its ales were shipped throughout Scotland and beyond. While only one commercial brewery now operates in the town, the heritage remains rich and largely untold to visitors. 'Alloa has one of the great untold stories in Scottish food and drink history,' said Mr Collier. 'Eight breweries, a world-famous reputation for ale, and a water and location that made it perfect for the craft. That story deserves to be told — and it can attract visitors to Alloa and the Wee County.' He called for investment in a brewing heritage trail in Alloa town centre, connected to the existing Alloa Tower visitor attraction, and for support for local craft brewing businesses to develop as visitor experiences. He also highlighted the growing craft beer tourism sector as a model, citing the economic impact of distillery tourism in the Highlands and pointing to the potential for similar success in Alloa. 'Reform UK will back local heritage and the economic opportunities it creates. Alloa's brewing story is ready to be rediscovered.'