Edinburgh suggestions

Went to the Hanging Bat and thoroughly enjoyed the service, vibe and offerings.
I'd recommend and revisit next time I get there.

 

I was very underwhelmed by the Bow Bar. No cask and the keg stuff was pretty lacklustre. Great pies though.

 

For Bars my top suggestion would be Salt Horse but Six Degrees North and The Bow Bar and fairly close to where you're staying and worth a visit. A bit further afield you could also try The Hanging Bat, Cloisters and Andrew Usher & Co.

For off licenses there's almost an embarrassment of choice but the most convenient ones for you are likely to be Beerhive and Salt Horse who have a bottle shop next door to the bar. Cornelius, Cork & Cask, Bottle Baron, Great Grog and Beer Zoo are good too but probably less useful given where you're staying.

 

I had good luck at bow bar. When I was there they had Cantillon bottles

 

The Bow Bar does have cask – it is just served through traditional Edinburgh tall fonts rather than handpumps.

 

Ooer, I've never encountered those before.

 

Will be in Edinburgh for a short time in late March. What are the top one or two beer bars or breweries to check out, given I'll be traveling with my wife and young son and have a strong preference for hoppy beers? Any help is appreciated!

 

https://www.brewdog.com/bars/uk/edinburgh

 

A 3 year old article, but you can't go wrong with these suggestions from the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/aug/01/top-10-craft-beer-pubs-in-edinburgh

Also, though it's a tourist trap, the World's End http://www.worldsend-edinburgh.co.uk/ was one of my favorites for Haggis with beer by gravity.

 

I would highly recommend Holyrood 9A. They have about 25 taps, good menu and it is kid friendly...Enjoy!!!!

 

Brewdog on lothian road has hill farmstead arthur. Fantastic beer if you haven’t tried it. Tart saison that unlike a lot of American beers shows an excellent level of balance/restraint. One of my faves over here. My sis and her husband are currently en route from south queensferry haha

 

+1 for the Hanging Bat. Bow Bar was decent if you're in the area but I wouldn't go out of your way - we happened to be shopping in the area and stopped in. Love that they do half pours, although they'll make fun of you in Glasgow if you order one

 

+1 for Salt Horse. Awesome draft and can selections. Always update their IG (cantillon bottles recently). Good bites too.

 

Surprised that no one as mentioned, Six Degrees North on Howe Street, 40 Beers on tap, well Worth seeking out, Teuchters Landing in Leith and, Cloisters Bar, in Tollcross plus Ushers with a rake of Beers on situated at Nicolson Street, not forgetting the legendary, Sandy Bells on Forrest Road.
There is an App though some bars on it are not quite up to date called, taps aff, it’s worth getting, I always use it when in Edinburgh.

 

Andrew Usher is closed now folks.