Brilliant things brewing as firm lifts new award
Brothers started off company in parents’garage
A Perthshire brewery is raising a glass to its latest success in business.
Wasted Degrees Brewing, based in Blair Atholl, was this month named Food and Drink Company of the Year at the Made In Scotland Awards.
Brewery co-owner Jack Low is now reflecting on a special journey which started in his mum and dad’s garage in Pitlochry.
The awards bash was held in Glasgow’s Science Centre and was organised by the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland and Business Insider.
“I’m so proud of what we’re achieving,” Jack smiled. “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 and 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 passionate 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 per cent renewables powered brewhouse in Blair Atholl.
Jack added: “Underpinned by a strong sense of social and environmental responsibility, we are both very driven by the impact we can have on our home region.
“We are doing what we 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 supply chain by championing local produce.”
This is not the first accolade for the Highland Perthshire business.
Wasted Degrees’ carbon conscious operating model recently witnessed the brewery shortlisted as a finalist in the
I’m so proud of what we’re achieving Jack Low
Sustainable Business category at the UK’S largest beer and brewing trade event (Beerx).
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 five years.
Now proudly displaying their most recent accolade, the brewery’s growth continues and the team are on track to exceed 2022’s production volume in summer 2023.