Over the last few months we’ve seen pubs, bars and breweries transform into online shops, drive-throughs, delicatessens and more. Anything to stay afloat during the pandemic.
As lockdown restrictions begin easing, some businesses are stepping up their alcohol delivery services to operate as alcohol takeaways. This means they can sell freshly poured beer and pre-mixed cocktails.
But what do you need to consider when choosing between alcohol delivery and visiting the pub for a takeaway? We've got all the answers.
With alcohol delivery you can combine your favourite bar with the comfort of your own home. For example, Mothership are delivering cocktails from the city's best cocktail bars. Sign us up for a refreshing fruity ‘Sunset Blush’ on the sofa!
Cask Smugglers are also delivering a unique collection of cocktails across Edinburgh. Their collection is reminiscent of Scotland's smuggling past and allows you to “shake up” your cocktail skills. Mix your own cocktail at home with their ingredients and a guide on how to make it taste perfect.
For those of you with a sweet tooth, you can also enjoy some ‘boozy milkshakes’ from The Raging Bull. The ‘Cadbury Crunchie’, mixed with brugal anejo rum has definitely caught our eye… (And we wrote this at 10am.)
Along with bottle shops, many bars are now delivering quality wines all around Edinburgh. Good Brothers adapted to lockdown by launching a ‘to go’ service which replicates their dining experience at home with a variety of delicious, affordable wines.
You'll also find an impressive wine list from Morningside pub Canny Man’s, who are offering free delivery around Edinburgh on off sale wine. Or stock up from the Italian and Scottish wine specialist, Valvona and Crolla, and order some nibbles for a side platter while you're at it!
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If you live further from Edinburgh city centre there’s no debate on alcohol delivery: a takeaway pint isn't for you. But we all know the selection from your local supermarket doesn't taste quite the same as proper cask ale. The solution? Beer delivered from a brewery.
Winton Brewery is offering free delivery in Edinburgh and throughout the Lothians on all their best beers, including Peelywally IPA and Barryswally APA. You can also you can get free delivery from Bellfield Brewery on a range of their award winning local beers. We love their Jex Blake Mosaic IPA, a delicious, golden beer with a juicy, tropical twang.
Or you could keep yourself topped up with a 5L bag of natural and unrefined real ale from Cross Borders Brewing. This award-winning Scottish microbrewery is delivering 1L growler fills for next day delivery, Monday to Friday.
Looking for something stronger? Since many of us have more time on our hands, let's explore the range of spirits available for delivery.
NB Distillery are providing free delivery on a fantastic collection of spirits, as well as offering 25% off their gin, vodka and rum. Holyrood Distillery are also providing a £35 deal on gin, gin liqueur and Fever Tree tonics - perhaps an ideal Father’s Day gift?
If you're looking to try something a little different from your usual, go for Leith Spirits. Inspired by Edinburgh’s rich history, the distillery offers a range of creative spirits delivered straight from their stillhouse. Oh, and they’re currently offering £5 pounds off each order… Just sayin’.
The same thing that makes alcohol delivery awesome is also a downside: drinking at home. Your friends aren't there and the atmosphere is very different. So if you’d like to engage more of your senses and meet other people, try an online local experience.
You could start by creating your own fine dining experience with a wine tasting by The Green Room. Or you could test your gin knowledge with a virtual Scottish artisan gin experience.
And then this is where takeaway drinks come in. They’re ideal if you're looking to enjoy a socially distanced pint with a friend. As we finally drift into summer, we’ll see more and more businesses jumping on the bandwagon selling takeaway drinks.
For now, there are several options in the heart of Edinburgh city centre. The Bow Bar and The Jolly Judge are both offering a variety of cask beer and cans to takeaway. If you live closer to Leith, you can get your beer fix from The Windsor, Malt & Hops or Brass Monkey Leith, all of which are selling cask ale to go.
Whether you fancy a tap beer to go or would rather have alcohol delivered straight to your door, you'll be helping local businesses. So let's spread some love and continue supporting as many as we can to help to get them through the COVID-19 crisis.
Cheers to the pubs, bars and restaurants until we meet again.
You can find more businesses around Edinburgh who are offering alcohol services here.
A proactive and creative digital marketer with a passion for travel, food and music.
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