Caithness exile brews international success
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Ross Stewart was delighted to be part of the Tennent Caledonian team which won awards at an international beer challenge in Belgium.
Thirty-three-year-old Ross, one of the company’s three master brewers, helped the company get gold, silver and bronze medals at the competition.
“It is an honour to be part of the team and to win such awards,” he said. “This is the first time in quite a while that we have entered such competitions and I’m looking forward to getting back home to celebrate the win with my family and friends, probably with a pint in the Commercial Hotel.”
Ross has worked for Tennent’s at its Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow for three-and-a-half years, although he has been involved in the industry for 12 years.
He explained his role with the company is to look after the beer recipes on site and ensure the quality is of the highest standard.
Asked how he got involved in the brewing industry, he replied: “I think it was in my blood – I was always fermenting things in school!
“I then went on to take my passion for brewing more seriously with a degree in brewing and distilling at Heriot-Watt University in 1996. After graduating, I had placements throughout the UK before becoming a master brewer with Tennent Caledonian.”
Ross, who left Caithness to go to university, still has family and friends in the far north. His parents Richard and Sheila Stewart have lived in Halkirk for over 30 years and still stay there.
He is getting married to Diane Newlands next month and intends to continue working for the company.
He said he would like to carry on the Tennent’s legacy while always looking to develop new products for the customer.
Tennent Caledonian won the awards at the International Beer Challenge in Belgium.
Three new brands launched earlier this year also fared well in the competition. The company’s success follows a period of extensive investment in the Wellpark brewery, including the installation of a £4 million bottling line.
