Sinnister Brew

Sinnister Brew is a pico-brewery based in Dalkeith, Midlothian, created around a particular interest in strong, characterful and barrel-aged dark beer.

The brewery focuses primarily on imperial stouts and porters, producing its beers on a deliberately tiny scale so that individual batches can be developed, aged and experimented with in ways that would be difficult at larger volumes.

Rather than building its range around a permanent set of identical core beers, Sinnister follows an evolving release model. Each brew can change while still returning to recurring flavour themes and ideas.

Those themes include ingredients and flavour profiles such as oyster, chilli, chocolate and umami, giving the brewery scope to explore unusual combinations while remaining centred on powerful imperial-style beers.

Barrel ageing forms an important part of the brewery's approach. The small production scale allows beers to be matured and developed over time, reflecting Sinnister's view that its target drinkers approach strong beer in a similar way to fine wine.

The team describes brewing as something developed over several years alongside their existing work, with a goal of producing at least one beer each month while gradually building a loyal following.

Sinnister's ambition is deliberately niche rather than volume-driven. The brewery aims to reach drinkers through specialist pubs and bottle shops across the UK while keeping its range fresh, changing and focused on the styles its founders most enjoy brewing and drinking.