Lost in Leith – Showcasing Edinburgh’s finest craft beer
This week’s review is fuelled by FREE BEER.
Let’s start with a quiz question: Who holds the record for the most acting Oscars in history? The answer’s at the end of this review.
Full disclosure of bias: I left Lost in Leith last Wednesday in a very good mood with a crate of beer under my arm. An impromptu night out had resulted in turning up here just in time for the weekly pub quiz. But I like to think that even if we hadn’t gone and won it, I’d still be giving this place the thumbs up.
Lost in Leith opened, then very quickly shut again, on the eve of the pandemic. It’s set in an old whisky bond by The Shore, neighbouring Tom Kitchin’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Its exposed brick archways and extensive (and expensive) craft beer selection threaten pretension, as does the fact that it calls itself a “bar and fermenteria”.
Luckily, the beer is great. It's an extension of the fantastic Campervan Brewery, which is just nearby. At last year’s Scottish Beer Awards, Edinburgh breweries cleaned up. Campervan was named the Scottish Small Brewery of the Year, with Cold Town, Moonwake and Bellfield also winning major awards. It’s a testament to the quality of the beers produced in this city, with Leith very much leading the way. We’re lucky to have so many packed within such a small radius.
Campervan’s Leith Juice (an IPA) and Leith Pils, not to mention its divine Extra Black porter, have become staples around the city, and are all on sale at Lost in Leith. The brewery’s own beers make up just a small proportion of the offer here, though, which extends to 18 different taps. You’ll find sours, various fruity pales, cider and other experimental flavours from further afield. May I recommend Yonder’s S’more if you’re in the mood for a big, chocolatey, sweet marshmallow stout – and don’t mind stretching to £5.65 for two thirds of a pint.
It goes without saying that this isn’t the place for those after a nice pint of traditional ale. Though the “fermentaria” in the name refers to the wooden casks on display at the back of the long archway, where experimental brews are maturing.
We’re still waiting for a sustained period of good weather to remind us that spring is on its way. But when the sun comes, Lost in Leith transforms. Tables line either side of the short strip of water outside, and the sun trap becomes abuzz with crowds enjoying the beers on offer. In the mean time, you’ll probably find me back there on quiz night, trying to win another crate of beer.
Katherine Hepburn has the most acting Oscars in history, with four. No, we didn’t get that right on the night.
The Chaser
Thankfully, Lost in Leith survived all the lockdowns. It celebrates its fourth birthday this Friday.
Where is it?
Where next?
You’re in Leith, for God’s sake. You’ve got loads of options. You could try the site of Campervan Brewery, which is soon to reopen after a refurbishment. It also has the handy bonus of being on the same road as Newbarns Taproom.
Or, for the best pint of Extra Black I’ve had – outside the brewery – head through Newhaven to Dreadnought.
We like this pub. If you hot desk at the Clock House, which is £25 a day, you can move across to Lost in Leith when they close up at 5pm.