Tennent’s

There are beers that become part of local culture, and then there is Tennent’s. In Scotland it occupies a position somewhere between national institution, default pub order and unofficial civic utility.

The lager first appeared in 1885 at Glasgow’s Wellpark Brewery, although brewing on the site stretches back centuries before that. Inspired by Bavarian lager brewing, Hugh Tennent set out to create a Scottish version at a time when lager was still a fairly radical idea in Britain.

The beer itself remains straightforward in the best possible way. Clean malt character, light bitterness and easy drinkability. Nobody is pretending it is a barrel-aged imperial stout fermented with twelve strains of yeast. That is largely why it works.

Part of the appeal comes from familiarity. Tennent’s has been woven into Scottish pubs, football, music and everyday drinking culture for generations. Even people who spend most of their time drinking obscure craft beer usually end up ordering a pint eventually.

Scotland has plenty of excellent breweries. Tennent’s remains the one most likely to appear in somebody’s hand while they explain exactly why their football team is suffering.