Heriot-Watt University is charting a bold course for the future of brewing and distilling with the announcement of a £35 million fundraising drive to establish the Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling (CSBD) in Edinburgh. The proposed facility will replace the university’s renowned International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD), ushering in a new era of innovation focused on environmental resilience and economic sustainability.
Since its founding in 1989, the ICBD has become a breeding ground for industry pioneers, producing high-profile alumni such as Martin Dickie of BrewDog, Kirsty Black, Master Distiller at Arbikie, and David Wilkinson of Edinburgh Gin. Now, Heriot-Watt aims to build on that legacy by creating a low-carbon “living lab” that reimagines brewing and distilling for the challenges of the 21st century.
The CSBD will be designed with sustainability at its core, incorporating renewable energy systems and eco-friendly construction materials. It will feature advanced research labs dedicated to circular economy practices, state-of-the-art production testbeds, and a collaborative hub to support small businesses and startups in the sector.
“This new centre is about more than a building, it’s about setting a global benchmark for sustainable practice in brewing and distilling,” said Professor Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal for Business and Enterprise at Heriot-Watt. “Our teaching heritage in this field goes back to 1903, and since establishing the ICBD more than three decades ago, we’ve fostered innovation that has shaped the industry.”
Murray emphasised the university’s vision for the CSBD to become a world-renowned centre of excellence: “We’re calling on supporters around the globe to invest in a facility that will empower the next generation of brewers and distillers to think bigger, about environmental stewardship, economic viability, and industry transformation.”
The centre has already garnered high-profile industry support. Ewan Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer and President of Global Supply Chain & Procurement at Diageo, welcomed the initiative, stating, “This project will play a vital role in supporting innovation and sustainability across the brewing and distilling sectors. It also promises to develop the highly skilled workforce we’ll need to meet the evolving challenges of the future.”
Jo Marshall, Brand Director at Carlsberg Britvic, echoed that enthusiasm. “As custodians of McEwan’s, a brand born in Edinburgh, this project is especially close to our hearts. Heriot-Watt has played a role in brewing innovation since the days of our founder, William McEwan, who collaborated with the university’s first Professor of Brewing. It’s exciting to see that same spirit of innovation alive in today’s plans.”
In addition to pioneering research, the CSBD will play a pivotal role in workforce development. It will offer graduate apprenticeships, executive training, and hands-on learning through industry-led collaborations, designed to close critical skills gaps and future-proof the sector.
With sustainability at the heart of global industry conversations, Heriot-Watt’s new centre promises to place Scotland at the forefront of brewing and distilling innovation. As the university seeks investment to bring this ambitious vision to life, it calls on partners, alumni, and forward-thinking investors to help shape the future of one of the world’s most iconic industries.