St Andrews is about to have its very first brewpub.
Behind the venture is Bob Phaff of the St Andrews Brewing Company, who is currently converting a former restaurant in South Street.
He is planning to open for business at the end of this week coinciding with the St Andrews Food and Drink Festival and the pub will be hosting some festival events.
Bob has teamed up with well known local businessman Tim Butler, who already runs the town’s acclaimed Seafood Restaurant. Tim has bought into the brewpub side of the business and the pair are hugely excited about a venture that will create around a dozen jobs.
Bob said he has dreamed of creating his own brewpub ever since he was a teenager. He came to St Andrews armed with the enthusiasm and knowledge he gained while working in the industry in the USA and immediately saw a gap in the market for an American-style brewpub.
“The new pub and restaurant will have around 20 casks and kegs on offer at any one time and we will also be creating a small on-site brewing facility to produce casks exclusively for the pub. We have already converted one room into a temperature-controlled cellar.
“A specialist team is doing a fantastic job fitting the place out. It is full of character and we have already found two fireplaces and old stones that were apparently once part of the cathedral.
“There will be a simple layout, with lots of blackboards telling the story of the beer and food. Susan McGill, who already does my artwork for the brewery, is involved and I’ve also spoken to other local artists.
“There will be a show brewery and snug-type bar downstairs, with a larger, beer festival-type of room and a small tasting room upstairs.
“It is something really different from the pubs already in town. Half of the beers will be my own brews and half other people’s beers, including the “best of the best” from all over the UK, America, and Scandinavia.”