It is all change on Lothian Road in the capital as Scottish craft brewer Innis & Gunn replace their Beer Kitchen outlet with The Innis & Gunn Brewery Taproom.

The space has been completely reworked and now features 26 craft taps; all of Innis & Gunn's core beers including fresh tank lager plus a number of small batch Innis & Gunn brews.

The bar will continue showcasing the best of other Scottish breweries’ products, as well as interesting craft beers from all over the world.

‘Scottish Soul Food’ will be served to accompany the beer, with items like Cullen skink bon bons and Scottish mussels available all day.

The £5 before 5 menu offers items like mac 'n' cheese, the pie of the day plus chicken subs while a separate plant-based menu features dishes such as cauliflower steak, beer-brined olives and courgette fries.

A newly installed Brew Room will host Innis & Gunn’s popular Brew Schools and beer tastings as well as being available for private dining and meetings.

Peek under the beer bonnet

Dougal Gunn Sharp, Innis & Gunn Founder and Master Brewer, said: 'It’s been almost four years since we opened our first bar and we’ve had the best time welcoming beer fans from all over the world through the doors. Our Innis & Gunn Brewery Taproom is the next evolution. It’s a place where our fans and craft beer drinkers can see under the bonnet of who we are and what makes us tick. Amazing beer, Scottish Soul Food, live sport and live and local music in one Innis & Gunn Mecca.

'We have added more capacity to our brew school too. It’s been constantly sold out since we started offering courses two years ago and now with extra capacity we can meet the surging demand from beer fans who want to learn how to brew some classic Innis & Gunn beer styles.'

Innis & Gunn has grown swiftly since launching in 2003. Within the next two years, they hope to build the first new large scale brewery in Edinburgh in 150 years. The brewery will meet rapidly growing domestic and international demand for its leading brand, Innis & Gunn Craft Lager.

Pigs will fly

Proceeding in a south easterly direction, we note that the Little White Pig is taking shape in the Dublin Street premises that formerly housed Spit/Fire and then Daylight Robbery.

It is billed as a 'New Town Gastropub serving high quality pub grub, exceptional beers and fine wine in a relaxed, friendly environment'.

We understand that it is a collaboration between the people behind the nearby Wally Dug pub and Campbells Brewery in Peebles.

They aim to open tomorrow (Saturday 30 March).

Hemingway's in Leith

Hopping on the bus, we leave the New Town and saunter around Leith where we notice that Hemingway's is preparing to open at 1 Commercial Street.

Apparently, it will be a bar and restaurant. We don't yet know when it will launch but will spill all the details when we do.

Finally, we note that Marchmont's Victor Hugo café and deli is planning to operate a second branch on George Street. The Evening News has a sweet piece.