PRESS RELEASE [16/11/2023]: Perthshire’s Brew Brothers
Multi-award winning Perthshire brewery Wasted Degrees plans expansion.
From a plastic home brew bucket in his parent’s garage, to now producing up to 25,000 litres of beer a month, Wasted Degrees is a local success story founded by Conall Low, who co-owns the business with his brother Jack. The brothers from Pitlochry, and their team, currently operate from their 100% renewables powered brewhouse in Blair Atholl, but consecutive years of double digit growth and burgeoning export sales have led to them seek a new, forever home for their business.
Underpinned by a strong sense of social & environmental responsibility, the brothers are both very driven by the impact they can have on their home region, doing what they can to set a strong example of ‘business done right’, such as taking steps to reduce the 'food miles' in its supply chain by championing local produce in its beers, by providing free period products to tackle rural period poverty, or by becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer, to name but a few examples. It’s clearly about more than just the beer for the team at Wasted Degrees.
Conall said: “We’re gratefully experiencing growing pains. From brewing in my parent’s garage only a few years ago, we now sell beer across the UK and also export to Europe. We needed to think longer term about how we house the brewery. The solution is to build something ourselves, to buy somewhere we can invest in, and we want to do that here in Perthshire.”
Jack added: “Conall and I grew up in Pitlochry. Mum & Dad still live in the home we grew up in here, we went to Pitlochry primary school, Pitlochry High School and Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy, played for Atholl Rugby club, the pipe band and more. We left to go to university and have found ourselves back here after different careers and journeys across the world - we love this place, this is home. Wasted Degrees is here to stay in Perthshire.”
Wasted Degrees has had two homes to-date: it was born in Pitlochry in 2016, before moving to Blair Atholl three years later in 2019. Despite conversations being had to acquire land in Blair Atholl, suitable options didn’t materialise. However, the brothers have found a suitable site in nearby Pitlochry. The new, forever home of Wasted Degrees will be just one mile from where it all began, a homecoming to the boys’ home town. Their new site is anticipated to open sometime in 2025.
Fans of the brewery’s highly popular Taproom in Blair Atholl – a bar and pizza destination operating seasonally in the village, within the current brewery – need not worry, as the brothers aim to continue a taproom in the village in addition to their new site.
Jobs, economic growth and significant investment are heading in Pitlochry’s direction, with the town’s economic make-up gaining the brewery’s manufacturing and export perspectives, as well as an on-site venue and shop. Think of it much like a distillery experience, where production and visitor experiences are available alongside each other at the heart of the business.
Conall noted: “Our planning application has been well received, in-part as we’ve invested above-and-beyond to ensure a build that makes it easy for us to be a good neighbour. We’re able to honestly, transparently and proudly say we’re going about this in a way that’s right for our future neighbours, our home town and its people & visitors.”
Jack added: “From ecology to air quality, drainage to parking, and economic impact, we’ve invested far beyond what’s typically expected at the planning & design stages to ensure that we set a high bar of what good looks like. Afterall, if you know Wasted Degrees at all, we have strong values to uphold – we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The new site will be just a few minutes walk from Pitlochry’s train station, the same to its main bus stops on Atholl Road, and will benefit from plenty of off-street parking in the immediate area including at the brewery itself, as well as being served by the national cycle network and ample bicycle parking at the brewery.
Stay tuned for updates on progress.
Wasted Degrees was named Food & Drink Company of the Year at the 2023 Made In Scotland Awards, as well as the Innovation Award winner at 2023 The Courier Business Awards. SME News also named Wasted Degrees as Best Brewery & Taproom in Perth & Kinross this year, and the brother’s efforts around environmental sustainability saw them listed as the only Scottish finalist at Beer X this year, the largest brewing trade event in the UK.
PRESS RELEASE [17/08/2023]: Perthshire Brewery’s Commitment To Service Personnel
Perthshire’s award winning Wasted Degrees Brewing has recently pledged its support to the Armed Forces Covenant, a move inspired by family service & sacrifice. The Armed Forces Covenant enables businesses to pledge their support to the armed forces community, whether serving or retired.
Much like the brewery’s charitable giving, particularly funds raised for the Red Cross, there is a strong family driver behind Jack and Conall Low’s (the Perthshire brothers who own the brewery) move to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. Jack said “I’m proud that we can give this show of support to those who serve and sacrifice for our freedom and to protect our quality of life. Like most families, we’ve had family members serve over the years, and so it feels right that we commit to the Armed Forces Covenant and do what we can to support the forces community somehow.”
Whether through future career opportunities at the brewery, or even simple gestures like discounts on food at the brewery’s Taproom, this is one business that clearly wants to do its part for the armed forces community.
Wasted Degrees produces up to 20,000 litres of craft beer in cans, kegs and cask per month from its 100% renewables powered brewhouse in Blair Atholl, Highland Perthshire. Underpinned by a strong sense of social & environmental responsibility, the brothers are both very driven by the impact they can have on their home region, doing what they can to set a strong example of ‘business done right’, such as taking steps to reduce the 'food miles' in its supply chain by championing local produce or by becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer. It’s clearly about more than just the beer for the team at Wasted Degrees.
Wasted Degrees’ high quality & innovative products and carbon conscious operating model has also recently seen the brewery named Food & Drink Company of the Year at the Made In Scotland Awards.
PRESS RELEASE [06/07/2023]: Award Winning Perthshire Brewery is Living Wage Accredited
Perthshire’s award winning Wasted Degrees Brewing has recently become the 99th Perthshire business to become Living Wage accredited, another display of commitment to its continued growth in Perthshire. The 2023 Food & Drink Company of the Year (Made In Scotland Awards) was founded in 2016 and is owned by two Perthshire brothers, Conall and Jack Low, both former pupils of Pitlochry High School and Breadalbane Academy.
Reviewed annually, the Living Wage is higher than the government minimum for over 23’s and is considered to be a better reflection of the cost of living. In Scotland, 9% of all jobs pay less than the real Living Wage.
Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance, the group behind the Living Wage, said: “At a time of rising costs, we all need an income that is enough to cover our needs, and it’s only right that employers pay a wage that reflects the cost of living. Congratulations to Wasted Degrees on their Living Wage commitment, and I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited.”
Jack Low (brewery co-owner) said “I’m so proud that we’ve made this commitment. Paying above the minimum wage is not new to our team, but taking this extra step reinforces who we are as a business. Whether it’s the free period products we offer at the brewery to tackle rural period poverty, the renewable energy we brew on, or now the Living Wage, it’s about more than just the beer at Wasted Degrees.
Conall Low (brewery co-owner) added “What started as my hobby in my Mum & Dad’s garage in Pitlochry a few years ago has now become a business that sells across the UK and exports en masse to Europe. We’ve come a long way and things are going from strength to strength! Importantly, we take the time and effort to grow in a way that we feel is right for people and the planet, wherever we can - there’s no excuse in modern business not to.”
The brewery produces up to 20,000 litres of craft beer in cans, kegs and cask per month from its 100% renewables powered brewhouse in Blair Atholl, Highland Perthshire. Underpinned by a strong sense of social & environmental responsibility, the brothers are both very driven by the impact they can have on their home region, doing what they can to set a strong example of ‘business done right’, such as taking steps to reduce the 'food miles' in its supply chain by championing local produce. It’s clearly about more than just the beer for the team at Wasted Degrees.
Wasted Degrees’ high quality & innovative products and carbon conscious operating model has also recently seen the brewery named Food & Drink Company of the Year at the Made In Scotland Awards. The brewery’s growth continues at pace and the team are on track to exceed 2022’s production volume in summer 2023.
PESS RELEASE [25/05/2023]: Perthshire Brewery Wins National Award
Perthshire’s Wasted Degrees Brewing has recently been named Food & Drink Company Of The Year at the Made In Scotland Awards.
At the awards ceremony in Glasgow’s Science Centre, organised by the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland and Business Insider, Jack Low (brewery co-owner) said “I’m so proud of what we’re achieving, the team and I are really grateful for the recognition and to fly the flag for great Scottish, great Perthshire produce. What started in my Mum & Dad’s garage in Pitlochry a few years ago has now become a business that sells across the UK and exports to Europe, we’ve come a long way! What was my brother’s hobby has now seen both of us quit our day jobs to focus entirely on the brewery - him in teaching, me in Scotch whisky - and things are going from strength to strength.”
Founded in 2016, Wasted Degrees is owned by two Perthshire brothers, Conall and Jack Low, both former pupils of Pitlochry High School and Breadalbane Academy.
The brewery produces up to 20,000 litres of craft beer in cans, kegs and cask per month from its 100% renewables powered brewhouse in Blair Atholl, Highland Perthshire. Underpinned by a strong sense of social & environmental responsibility, the brothers are both very driven by the impact they can have on their home region, doing what they can to set a strong example of ‘business done right’, such as providing free period products at the brewery or taking steps to reduce the 'food miles' in its supply chain by championing local produce. It’s clearly about more than just the beer for the team at Wasted Degrees.
Wasted Degrees’ carbon conscious operating model has also recently seen the brewery shortlisted as a finalist in the Sustainable Business category at the UK's largest beer and brewing trade event (BeerX), the only Scottish brewery shortlisted. In a departure from heavy glass bottles, the brewery’s recent investment in a new canning line is enabling the business to save over 101 tonnes of carbon equivalents in the next 5 years. Now proudly displaying their recent accolade, the brewery’s growth continues and the team are on track to exceed 2022’s production volume in summer 2023.
Also now offering cellar installations to pubs & bars in Perthshire, Wasted Degrees is capturing more space in local venues with its keg and cask products. Keep an eye out for more of their draught beer locally, or visit the brewery for a free tour and a choice of 15 Wasted Degrees beers on draught at their Saturday Taproom.
PESS RELEASE [22/11/2022]: First export for Perthshire brewery
Wasted Degrees Brewing has celebrated another milestone this year following the completion of its first export sale, a deal that further leverages the brewery’s recent investment in its UK designed & manufactured canning line.
Founded in 2016, Wasted Degrees crafts limited edition beers in its 100% renewables powered brewhouse in Blair Atholl, surrounded by the hills of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. Supplying keg, canned and cask beer across the UK and now Europe, the brewery is known for its diverse and ever-changing range of high-quality beers and a responsible growth ethic.
Owned by two brothers - Conall and Jack Low - the brewery has shipped a consignment of 12,500 cans of its beer to The Netherlands, a first for this high-growth young business and its largest single order of the last six years. Jack commented: “The acquisition of our new canning line earlier this year marked another step up in responsible growth for us: we’ve now completed our transition away from glass bottles, something that could enable us to save around 61 tonnes annually of CO2 equivalents from being emitted, across our supply chain, by 2026. In just two hours, the canning line can package as much beer as used to take us four days to bottle & label by hand! So, this investment was the gateway to confidently and economically chasing larger-scale wholesale deals and it’s great to have proven to ourselves and the market that we can deliver. It’s been a total game-changer for us.”
With its beer now available in The Netherlands, France, Italy and Germany, the brewery is certainly one to watch. Asked about what his parents thought of him abandoning his teaching career, Conall said: “The ink was barely dry on my degree when I told Mum & Dad that I was moving into their garage to start a brewery. Six years on and furnished with a lifetime free bar tab, I’m sure they feel that the gamble paid off! It also gave us a catchy name for the business!”
Conall added: “I know that people recognise how genuine we are, I think that sets us apart from an otherwise hectic market. We really do care, not just about great beer, but people see how community and environment are fundamental to how we grow the business, we want to set a strong example of business as a force for good. From the nine tonnes of fresh-but-surplus Perthshire-grown produce we’ve saved and brewed with in the last couple of years, to the energy recovery technology in our renewables-powered brewhouse, we’re always looking to do more.”
And more they do! The brothers are both very driven by the impact they can have on their home region, doing what they can for the local community, such as providing free period products at the brewery in an effort to tackle period poverty, an initiative developed with Musselburgh-based HeyGirls for the supply of sustainably produced period products. It’s clearly about more than just the beer for them.
In the first nine months of the year the team at Wasted Degrees welcomed more than five thousand visitors to their brewery & taproom in the Highlands, creating a food & drink destination of the sort craved by fans of craft beer nationwide. And, with plans to build a new facility on the horizon, you’ll want to keep your eye on Wasted Degrees in the years to come.
Wasted Degrees is open for free tours Monday – Friday, 10:00 – 16:00 year-round. Their popular Taproom is also open for draught beer and pizzas on Saturdays, April – September. Visit www.WastedDegrees.com for more information.
PRESS RELEASE [12/10/2022]: Perthshire brewery in anti-food waste drive
Now in its fourth vintage year, the annual Wasted Degrees cider has become a much-loved Perthshire community collaboration. Throughout harvest season, the brewery becomes a hub for the collection of fresh-but-surplus apples, creating an opportunity to reduce food waste in Perthshire.
Conall Low, brewery co-founder, commented: “In 2019 we realised that a great deal of the area’s apple trees were either being neglected or that people simply didn’t have a use for all that fresh, locally-grown fruit. We’re a particularly environmentally conscious business and so, naturally, we began thinking about how we could help create a use for these apples and reduce food waste in the process. Crumble fatigue and pie overindulgence are real, but we have the remedy!”
Thus, the Wasted Degrees Community Cider was born. Harvest yields have varied over the last few years, with the amount landing in the brewery’s yard totalling 4.55 tonnes in the project’s first three seasons. This year, the fourth year of the project, the total is 4.4 tonnes, exceeding all expectations and is a testament to how this community project has resonated with the people of Perthshire.
Jack Low, Conall’s brother and co-owner of the brewery added: “There’s so much to this project and people really engage with the important anti-food waste message behind it. In exchange for their apples, people receive some of our beer there & then or cider when it’s ready – it’s important that this is an equitable, as well as environmentally responsible project.”
As the team now begin pulping and pressing the fruit, another, less-thought-of part of the project becomes a priority: what to do with all the apple pulp after the juice is extracted? Much like the brewery’s supply chain generally, local partnerships are the key to success, which is why the pulp heads just 3 miles up the hill from the brewery to a herd of cattle. Nothing wasted.
“We’ll pulp and press the fruit, then allow the juice time to slowly ferment over the winter and it’ll come on sale early in the new year” said Andrew MacNeilage, Assistant Brewer, adding “The natural wild yeasts on the skin of the fruit create a unique vintage every time. There should be enough fruit to create the equivalent of 3,500 pints this year.”
Jack added: “Well done & thank you to everyone, you’ve done an incredible job and spread a valuable anti-food waste message in Perthshire and beyond! Something to be proud of. You’ve saved so much from going to waste and earned yourselves beer & cider in the process!”
Jack and Conall – both former pupils of Pitlochry High School and Breadalbane Academy – grew up in Pitlochry and, following time spent at university in Edinburgh and working in the UK and abroad, have teamed-up to grow Wasted Degrees together. The brewery is growing at pace and has recently shipped its first export order of 12,500 cans of beer to Amsterdam in September this year.
The renewables-powered brewery is open for free tours Monday – Friday, 10:00 – 16:00 year-round. Their highly regarded Taproom is also open for draught beer and pizzas April – September. Visit www.WastedDegrees.com for more information.
PRESS RELEASE [16/05/2022]: Environmentally conscious Perthshire brewery is growing
In a huge milestone moment for the business, Wasted Degrees Brewing has commissioned its brand new, UK designed & manufactured canning line. In a departure from glass bottles, the brewery has continued to invest in what it describes as environmentally responsible growth.
Founded in 2016, Wasted Degrees crafts limited edition beers in its 100% renewables powered brewhouse in Blair Atholl, just a few minutes walk from the train station and within sight of Blair Castle. Supplying keg, cask, bottled and now canned beers across the UK, the brewery is known for its diverse range of high-quality beers that showcase an increasing array of Perthshire-grown ingredients.
Jack Low, co-owner of the brewery, explains why he and the team have invested in this new equipment: “Wasted Degrees cares about great flavour, community and environment in equal measure. We want to set a strong example of business as a force for good. From the four tonnes of fresh-but-surplus Perthshire-grown produce we’ve saved and brewed with in the last couple of years, to the energy recovery technology in our renewables-powered brewhouse, we’re always looking to do more. As we transition away from glass bottles, we estimate that by 2026 we could save around 61 tonnes annually of CO2 equivalents from being emitted, across our supply chain, into the atmosphere. The introduction of our new canning line marks another new chapter in responsible growth at Wasted Degrees, choosing a lighter packaging format that also delivers production efficiencies to satisfy the demand for our beer. In just two hours, the canning line can package as much beer as used to take us 4 days to bottle & label by hand!”
Jack and his brother (and brewery founder) Conall both grew up in Pitlochry, attending the school there and also Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy. The brothers are also driven by the impact they can have on their home region, doing what they can for the local community, such as providing free period products at the brewery in an effort to tackle period poverty.
Last year, the team at Wasted Degrees welcomed more than five thousand visitors to the brewery & taproom in Blair Atholl, creating a truly local food & drink destination where everyone feels welcome and comfortable.
Head to www.WastedDegrees.com today to learn more about the brewery’s work and to book a table at their Saturday taproom for some fresh beer and hand made pizza using locally produced dough.
PRESS RELEASE [21/03/2022]: Perthshire brewery takes a stand against period poverty.
Wasted Degrees Brewing (Blair Atholl) and Hey Girls are excited to work together in the fight against period poverty. One in ten people in the UK still can’t access or afford period products, but in Scotland that number is thought to be one in four.
Founded in 2017, Wasted Degrees Brewing crafts limited edition beers in its 100% renewables powered brewhouse in Blair Atholl, just a few minutes walk from the train station. Known for their diverse range of high-quality beers that showcase an increasing array of Perthshire-grown ingredients, the team at Wasted Degrees are once again welcoming people to the brewery’s taproom for food & drink from mid-April.
Hey Girls, founded in 2018, is an award-winning social enterprise, producing environmentally friendly period products that fund the fight to end period poverty in the UK. Their products are responsibly sourced and made from sustainable, biodegradable or recyclable materials, offering the functionality of plastic, without the pollution. Wasted Degrees and Hey Girls believe that access to quality period products is a right, not a privilege and that free products not only help end period poverty, they promote equality.
Jack Low, co-owner of the brewery, explains why he and the team are partnering with Hey Girls: “Wasted Degrees cares about great flavour, community and environment in equal measure. Along with our community of supporters, we want to set a strong example of business as a force for good. From the four tonnes of fresh-but-surplus Perthshire-grown produce we’ve saved and brewed with in the last couple of years, to the energy recovery technology in our renewables-powered brewhouse, we’re always looking to do more. Last year, we welcomed more than five thousand visitors to our brewery & taproom in Blair Atholl and we want to make it a destination where everyone feels welcome and comfortable, so that’s why we reached-out to Daisy and the team at Hey Girls to stock their sustainable period products at the brewery – we’re offering these for free to all who need them when we re-open our Taproom for the 2022 season from April 15th.”
Daisy Williams, Partner & Contracts Manager at Musselburgh-based Hey Girls added: “We are delighted to be partnered with Jack and the wonderful team at Wasted Degrees who are taking such brilliant measures to ensure that not only are their team members supported but anybody who visits the Brewery. Our Partnership will also help the fight against Period Poverty: for every pack that Wasted Degrees buys, we donate a whole box to someone who needs it through our Buy One Donate One Model.”
Head to WastedDegrees.com/Taproom today to support the brewery’s work and enjoy some brewery-fresh beer and food in the fresh air of Highland Perthshire, opening for the 2022 season from April 15th.
To learn more about Wasted Degrees Brewing, including its approach toward the environment and business being a force for good, head to: Community — Wasted Degrees Brewing | Blair Atholl | Craft Beer
For more information about Hey Girls, to support the fight against period poverty and to shop for products, visit: Home - Hey Girls
