A SCOTTISH microbrewery that has only been in business for 18 months has won a coveted listing with Aldi for its two gluten-free beers.

The beers will arrive in 75 Aldi stores in Scotland this week, meaning people who have had to give up beer due to a gluten allergy or intolerance, will be able to enjoy Bellfield Brewery’s award-winning Lawless Village IPA and Bohemian Pilsner beers wherever they live.

The Edinburgh-based brewery has increased its production significantly as a result of the deal.

Brewer and business development manager Kieran Middleton said: “As a young company, we are so proud to have this opportunity to supply one of the UK’s leading retailers.

“Aldi have supported us since we launched, listing our beers in their bi-annual beer festivals, but this permanent listing gives us a great opportunity to bring our beers to more shoppers in Scotland.”

Since being set up in 2016 by two coeliac friends, Bellfield has gone from strength to strength, recently raising more than £430,000 to fund its expansion.

Unlike most other breweries now producing gluten-free beers, Bellfield does not “de-glutenise” its beer using enzymes. Instead, it has optimised its brewing process and recipes to produce great-tasting, gluten-free beer naturally.

Bellfield says its mission is “Craft Beer for All”, aiming to produce great-tasting beer that happens to be gluten-free and vegan.

Meanwhile, a bid to turn craft beer into clean drinking water for a million people facing water poverty has taken a another step forward for an Edinburgh-based social enterprise who have secured a listing with the Co-op.

Brewgooder, which donates 100 per cent of its profits to water charities, has secured a deal to supply nearly 100 of the community retailer’s stores from this month.

Last year, Brewgooder last year launched a programme of 60 projects with the One Foundation, benefiting more than 30,000 people.

Figures from the United Nations show that more than 650 million people do not have access to safe, clean drinking water.

Brewgooder co-founders Alan Mahon and Josh Littlejohn were both tackling homelessness in Scotland before combining their passion for craft beer and helping others with the development of their “Clean Water Lager” brewed at Brewdog’s Ellon brewhouse.

Mahon, said: “We are delighted to secure this listing. We feel there is a real synergy, given the Co-op’s community locations, heritage and ethical trading and, passion for quality beers, not to mention its existing work to support

clean water projects.

“This is our largest listing into the convenience sector, and one we are looking forward to growing in the coming months. It will provide a boost to our brand awareness and business development at a key time, while having an impact on thousands of people facing water poverty through our essential clean water projects.”

Jake Woods, Co-op’s beer buyer, said: “As a co-operative, collaborating with a social enterprise that has set out to use its profits to alleviate water poverty presents a great opportunity.

“It is an area where the Co-op has delivered significant support over many years. Craft beer is an exciting category. We see significant potential for sustainable growth, and we are delighted to champion a beer that makes a difference to the lives of thousands of people.”