Cromarty Kowabunga XH Extra Hoppy

Cromarty Brewing feels deeply Highland in the best possible way. Independent, slightly windswept, proudly local and producing excellent beer surrounded by scenery that makes you briefly consider abandoning city life entirely before remembering midges exist.

Based in Ross-shire near the Cromarty Firth, the brewery started in a farm steading and quickly built a loyal following through modern, approachable beers with loads of personality and absolutely no unnecessary pretension.

The lineup covers everything from crisp lagers and juicy pale ales to richer stouts and seasonal specials, usually brewed with balance and drinkability sitting front and centre. Even the hoppier beers tend to stay clean and refreshing rather than becoming palate-wrecking hop soup.

What makes Cromarty especially enjoyable is the atmosphere surrounding the brewery. It feels genuinely community-rooted rather than “small and independent” purely because a marketing department discovered people like authenticity now.

The Highland setting also seems to influence the whole style naturally. Fresh, straightforward and quietly confident without needing huge hype campaigns or bizarre gimmicks involving breakfast cereal and marshmallow flavouring.

There’s also something very satisfying about good beer produced in places where the weather regularly looks like it’s personally offended by human optimism.

Scotland continues to excel at this strangely specific aesthetic.