WooHa, a new all female microbrewery based in Nairn, is putting its own modern twist on traditional brewing techniques by using its brewer's knowledge of microbiology and state-of-the-art equipment to create modern hop strains.
WooHa Brewing Company, was officially established in 2014 and went to market in April 2015, after head brewer and owner, Heather McDonald, decided to utilise her scientific background within the brewing industry.
Mrs MacDonald, who has a Bachelor’s degree in Business, a Masters degree in Finance and has worked in microbiology laboratories, and uses here experiences lived across the globe to influence her unique WooHa recipes.
Heather MacDonald. Picture: Frasermedia
WooHa’s brews, which are all inspired by the science of brewing, are bottle conditioned, which ensures that the brewery does not use any force carbonation, filtration or Isinglass to clarify its beers – simply temperature and time.
The all female brewery, which is made up of an international team of three ladies from Scotland, Germany and America, is currently one of the youngest microbreweries in Scotland, and will be exhibiting its products to the market at the Highlands largest indoor craft beer festival, North Hop in August 2015.
The brewery, which opened its first premises in January 2015, began brewing two products, the WooHa lager and the WooHa porter in April this year, and aims to have the WooHa IPA and WooHa Wheat ready for the festival.
North Hop, which takes place on 21 and 22 of August 2015 at Eden Court, in Inverness, will welcome the micro-brewery for the first time, introducing it to a number of new markets.
Heather McDonald, head brewer and owner of WooHa Brewing Company, said: “I have always had a passion for craft beer and after studying microbiology I saw an opportunity to use my skills and knowledge of the market to create a unique, modern craft beer product.
“We have decided to attend the annual North Hop craft beer festival this year, and we are extremely excited to see how the festival goers react to our brews. North Hop has a great reputation in the Inverness and surrounding area and will allow us to connect with our customers in a new way, being face-to-face allowing us to give them an insight into the brewery.”
• North Hop sessions will run from 6pm until 12 midnight on Friday, 21 August, and from 12 noon until 6pm and 7pm until 1am on Saturday, 22 August. Tickets are on sale now and are priced at £15 + booking fee per session or £40 + booking fee for a weekend pass, which includes all sessions.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit The North Hop website www.northhop.co.uk or call the Eden Court Box Office on 01463 234234
