Oil, strip-clubs, cold weather and granite. Those are the headlines that the city of Aberdeen offers. This list is missing at least one item though...
Next to the gorgeous Marischal College (seriously Google it) you'll find three bars, under a minute apart, all dedicated to the art of brewing: Brew Dog, Six°North, and the Bottle Cap Bar and Brewery. All three bars are worth a visit, with the area boasting hundreds of different beers to try on ever changing menus. Here is the breakdown:
Brew Dog:
Brew Dog is pretty much a household name now, but lots of people don't realise that it originally comes from Fraserburgh - a small town north of Aberdeen.
It was started in 2007 by two guys who were just fed up with corporate lager and wanted to see what they could do. What resulted is a huge range of beers, including the now famous 'Tactical Nuclear Penguin', which became the world's strongest beer in '09.
Now the company is the largest independent brewer of beer in Scotland, employing over 200 people and owning 12 bars nationwide (as well as bars in Stockholm, São Paulo and Florence).
They are known for their variety and alternative names, but at the heart of the company is a real love for what they do, and a love for beer. The bar itself is pretty much always packed, and has a great atmosphere to it.
If you do find yourself there on a quiet Tuesday night in November, then it's still a great place to drink. The service is excellent, and we really cannot fault the Brew Dog team.
Next to the gorgeous Marischal College (seriously Google it) you'll find three bars, under a minute apart, all dedicated to the art of brewing: Brew Dog, Six°North, and the Bottle Cap Bar and Brewery. All three bars are worth a visit, with the area boasting hundreds of different beers to try on ever changing menus. Here is the breakdown:
Brew Dog:
Brew Dog is pretty much a household name now, but lots of people don't realise that it originally comes from Fraserburgh - a small town north of Aberdeen.
It was started in 2007 by two guys who were just fed up with corporate lager and wanted to see what they could do. What resulted is a huge range of beers, including the now famous 'Tactical Nuclear Penguin', which became the world's strongest beer in '09.
Now the company is the largest independent brewer of beer in Scotland, employing over 200 people and owning 12 bars nationwide (as well as bars in Stockholm, São Paulo and Florence).
They are known for their variety and alternative names, but at the heart of the company is a real love for what they do, and a love for beer. The bar itself is pretty much always packed, and has a great atmosphere to it.
If you do find yourself there on a quiet Tuesday night in November, then it's still a great place to drink. The service is excellent, and we really cannot fault the Brew Dog team.
Six°North is the JFC pick from Aberdeen’s craft beer corner – and possibly the best bar in the city – for a solid date-night...
Bottle Cap Bar and Brewery
Bottle Cap Bar and Brewery is the newest addition to the area, seemingly following in a similar mould to Brew Dog, and occupying the site of Aberdeen Uni's former unofficial union.
The place has – thankfully – been hosed down in the interim, but admittedly the new bar hasn't done too much with the space. The JFC team really wanted to like this bar, but something about it is just lacking. Now, we are not ones to judge a place by its wallpaper or soft furnishings, but here it really was a bit grim.
Once we had got our inner Kevin McCloud out, it was time to try some of their beers. Fortunately, we can announce that they really come though on that count, and properly make up for their decorating. Because of this, and the fact that it is generally quieter than its competitors, Bottle Cap is great for a quiet drink with a mate, a pint and some good old-fashioned board-games.
Six°North
Six°North opened its doors in 2013 and heralded themselves as the 'Belgian Brewers of Scotland'.
Indeed, their name refers to Aberdeen's location in relation to Brussels, and the bar itself reflects this love of all things Belgian, with a huge range of Belgian beer, and of beer in general.
They have over 200 different bottles on their newspaper style menu, as well as a weekly draft menu. Everything about this bar just seems to work. The place is set out as a traditional beer hall, with lots of open wood, barrels and long benches, but it manages to be cosy and pretty modern at the same time.
The beers are also amazing, with an even larger variety than Brew Dog. Even if you are not a big fan of beer, we would highly recommend Six°, as they always manage to find something you like. Because of this, and its cosy feel, the Belgian beer hall is the JFC pick from Aberdeen’s craft beer corner – and possibly the best bar in the city – for a solid date-night.
Bars' Best Beers:
Brew Dog - Hardcore IPA (It really will kick your ass!)
Six°North - Wanderlust (Crisp, homebrewed wheat beer)
Bottle Cap - Hitachino Nest White Ale (Very easy to drink, properly refreshing)
Fraser Bonar
Bottle Cap Bar and Brewery is the newest addition to the area, seemingly following in a similar mould to Brew Dog, and occupying the site of Aberdeen Uni's former unofficial union.
The place has – thankfully – been hosed down in the interim, but admittedly the new bar hasn't done too much with the space. The JFC team really wanted to like this bar, but something about it is just lacking. Now, we are not ones to judge a place by its wallpaper or soft furnishings, but here it really was a bit grim.
Once we had got our inner Kevin McCloud out, it was time to try some of their beers. Fortunately, we can announce that they really come though on that count, and properly make up for their decorating. Because of this, and the fact that it is generally quieter than its competitors, Bottle Cap is great for a quiet drink with a mate, a pint and some good old-fashioned board-games.
Six°North
Six°North opened its doors in 2013 and heralded themselves as the 'Belgian Brewers of Scotland'.
Indeed, their name refers to Aberdeen's location in relation to Brussels, and the bar itself reflects this love of all things Belgian, with a huge range of Belgian beer, and of beer in general.
They have over 200 different bottles on their newspaper style menu, as well as a weekly draft menu. Everything about this bar just seems to work. The place is set out as a traditional beer hall, with lots of open wood, barrels and long benches, but it manages to be cosy and pretty modern at the same time.
The beers are also amazing, with an even larger variety than Brew Dog. Even if you are not a big fan of beer, we would highly recommend Six°, as they always manage to find something you like. Because of this, and its cosy feel, the Belgian beer hall is the JFC pick from Aberdeen’s craft beer corner – and possibly the best bar in the city – for a solid date-night.
Bars' Best Beers:
Brew Dog - Hardcore IPA (It really will kick your ass!)
Six°North - Wanderlust (Crisp, homebrewed wheat beer)
Bottle Cap - Hitachino Nest White Ale (Very easy to drink, properly refreshing)
Fraser Bonar
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