What sort of beers do you do?

We like to get things right so we weren't going to start off with a plethora of wild styles and quirky labels. We just started with the one beer and then when we were happy with that we moved onto our next. We now make four classic style beers. Our most recent addition, the 80 Shilling, was first brewed in December 2022. 

Consistency and quality are our two biggest aims so we'll get on to the quirky fruit beers, kombucha, ciders and various other brewing possibilities at some point. Ideally a low alcohol beer and a gluten free but lets not get ahead of ourselves. 

If you were hoping that we would be joining the craft beer revolution and those beardy hipsters with their boil in the bag hop infused concoctions of weird you can think again. We're all about making a nice pint which you can rely on. 

Where did the beer names come from?

We're a bunch of East Neuk locals and we're very proud of our heritage. Also, you might be surprised at who and what has come out of Fife and the surrounding locality. So all our beer names will have something that should hopefully make you go 'Oh... that's interesting. From where? Really? Never would have guessed!'

TERRA NOVA

4.3% ABV Golden Ale

"A malt ale rather than a hoppy ale. Well balanced with good body. Reminicant of old pub ales."

 Our first beer was called this for a number of reasons.
In Latin it means 'New Land' and let's be honest, our brewery is new territory for us.
More importantly, Terra Nova is the name of the ship that Captain Robert Falcon Scott commanded for his infamous south pole attempt where he was beaten to the pole by the Norwegian Roald Amundsen. 

What you might not know is that Terra Nova was built just up the road in Dundee!

Also, the expedition, known as the Terra Nova Expedition, wasn't just to reach the pole. It had several scientific objectives and being a bunch of scientists and engineers we get excited by that sort of thing. 

So, Terra Nova is a world famous scientific expedition to reach uncharted territory on a ship of the same name built only a few miles from here. It just had to be the name of our first beer. 

FIFIE

4.0% ABV Blonde Ale

"An easy drinking blonde ale, light in colour, hopped with Amarillo for a slight citrusy aroma."

Sticking with our 'Oooh... I didn't know that!' name aim. The Fifie isn't a windmill. It's a type of traditional fishing boat that was developed on the east coast of Scotland and used by Scottish fishermen from the 1850s until well into the 20th century. Sail powered, these boats were mainly used to fish for herring using drift nets and were a very common sight in East Neuk harbours for many years. If you want to see what one looks like then we can highly recommend a visit to the Fisheries Museum in Anstruther where you can see a real Fifie, the 'Reaper'. Click here for more info. 

So why the windmill? Well, the windmill has its own interesting history. It was used to pump seawater up into a number of salt pans on the shore where a roaring salt trade once existed in the mid to late 1700s. A little walk along from St Monans will get you to the windmill and the remains of the pans. Right.... but why the Fifie?! Well, the windmill is in St Monans but what you might not know is St Monans was also the home to J W Miller & Sons Ltd. Boatbuilders who had a worldwide reputation for quality and craftmanship... and among the various types of boats that were built by this iconic East Neuk boatbuilding firm was none other than the Fifie. 

St Ayles Ale

4.1% ABV Golden Ale

"Sweeter than the Terra Nova and more malty than the Fifie, this quaffable ale is a very popular but steady Golden Ale ideal for a quenching a thirst. Our recommended ale for those that are unsure of where to start with Ovenstone ales"

Anstruther is home to The Scottish Fisheries Museum.  Situated in a wonderful collection of historic buildings on the harbour they are a charitable trust which has become a national institution with an international reputation. We can wholeheartedly agree that their tag line 'It's bigger than you think' is indeed accurate. They have a wealth of historical fishing memorabilia, boats and exhibits on show and are well worth a visit!
2019 is their Golden Anniversary and they asked us if we could join forces to produce a 'quaffable' beer to celebrate their 50th year. We duly obliged and produced St Ayles Ale.
The name comes from the 15th century chapel to St Ayles which was once built on the same ground as the museum. It then went on to become a cooperage and malt steading so there is a very good historical connection with brewing. 

Our ale has complicated malt and hop additions but scaled back to give a very balanced, refreshing and enjoyable pint.

North Carr 80 Shilling

4.3% ABV Scottish Ale

"A thoroughly classic Scottish Ale, caramel sweetness with great body and minimal hop additions. Dark in colour but an easy drinking ale."

Our newest ale to the Ovenstone fleet. We didn't intend on everything having a nautical theme but it just so happens that this was our next 'beer name' favourite. North Carr is a reference to the lightship that was once stationed on the North Carr rocks off of the coast of Crail / Fife Ness. After being decomissioned the lightship spent many years moored against the harbour wall in Anstruther as a tourist attraction. She has since been moved to the docks in Dundee. However, she was a familair sight for many East Neuk locals.  

The beer that takes the name of this historic vessel is a classic Scottish Ale. The name 80 Shilling is a reference to the duty paid on it in  'ye olde' times and was based on the alcohol content. These days, a great 80 Shilling is hard to find amongst the sea of IPA's, pale ales, and fancy hop heavy American styled beers. Therefore it makes a perfect addition to our more classically themed ales.