It’s that time of year again, the annual celebration of the life and legacy of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns (or Rabbie Burns). It may not be advised to have a huge party this year but that doesn’t mean you can’t cook haggis, neeps and tatties, drink some strong booze and indulge in some jovial banter with close friends.
When is Burns Night?
Burns Night falls on 25th January every year to commemorate the birthday of the famous Scottish poet.
If you’re planning a Burns Night dinner celebration and are wondering what alcohol to serve, then you've come to the right place. You can of course drink a Scottish tipple (of which there are plenty), many will be sipping a dram or two of single malt whiskey to toast the man of the evening. If you do want to keep it strictly Scottish, explore the ranges Brewdog, Bellfield and Harviestoun have to offer. However, if you hope to serve a good hearty haggis and black pudding then we’ve got a couple of beers that we believe will pair very well indeed. And, not to mention, Robert Burns himself was a proponent of a good brew. If he ok'd it, it must be appropriate.
“O gude ale comes and gude ale goes; gude ale makes me sell my hose, sell my hose and pawn my shoons — Gude ale keeps my heart aboon!” O gude ale comes and gude ale goes
Burns Night supper
The perfect remedy for a cold dark January night is a Burns Supper. This is especially true if Burns Night marks the end of your dry or drier January (it's basically over, right?!). For many Burns Night revellers, the pièce de résistance will be the arrival of the haggis. Haggis is gamey, rich and peppery. This is also true of vegetarian alternatives. To match its punchy flavour, you need a strong and maybe even sweet beer, much like the flavour profile you find in Dutch and Belgian Trappist beers.