Charlotte Cook has taken the helm as the new Head Brewer at Uile bheist in Inverness, stepping into the role with a clear ambition to turn the £7.5 million brewstillery into a destination for beer lovers from near and far.
Her appointment marks a new chapter for the Inverness brewery as she succeeds Lukas Pretzer, who has returned to Germany to work with Kaspar Schulz.
Charlotte will begin by focusing on the brewery’s core range while shaping its future direction with a steady, confident hand.
A Masters Brewing graduate from Nottingham University, Charlotte’s journey through the industry has taken her from Manchester’s Cloudwater Brew Co. to Estonia’s Põhjala, which now exports to 30 countries, before spending the most recent years in London with Trumans and Coalition, one of the capital’s largest independents.
She started her career with Brewdog and now brings that breadth of experience north with purpose.
“The market for our beer is very unique, with lots of tourists and consumers year round.
“I’d really like to see Uile bheist become a destination for beer lovers, a place where they can experience something individual and for locals to come any time and enjoy our products.
“The role appealed to me in terms of how well the overall brewery is constructed to high specification and also the sustainability side of the operation.
“Moving to a new brewery and adapting to the philosophy, and mutually adapting, is always a challenge but I think we’ll make great beer that people will want to enjoy.”
After years in London’s brewing heartlands she was eager to return to Scotland, with family in Elgin and the draw of a workplace that feels closer to the landscape than to industry.
She will now brew on the banks of the River Ness using shallow water wells and rooftop photovoltaic panels.
“The view from my work before was an industrial estate in Croydon.
“Now I see the River Ness daily.”
Her brewing style is rooted in clarity and craft, built on quality ingredients and instinctive simplicity, honed across more than fifteen years in the industry.
“I look at quality first.
“I don’t like to over complicate the recipe but want the best ingredients and to make something that is drinkable, tasty and will make people want more.”
Uile bheist Co Owner Jon Erasmus believes Charlotte arrives at a pivotal moment as the brewery and taproom prepare for the increase in visitors that will come with the opening of the £47 million Inverness Castle Experience directly behind the site.
“Charlotte brings a wealth of experience in the UK brewing scene and we are excited to see how she develops our existing range but also to hear her ideas for seasonal beers and collaborations, which we have really enjoyed.
“We are a genuine craft brewery and working in partnership with other like minded local breweries is attractive.
“We are also looking at expanding local markets.
“The opening of the Castle is going to bring a new vibrancy to the city.
“We want to be a part of that.”
Charlotte’s arrival signals a confident step forward for Uile bheist, where ambition, craftsmanship and Highland identity continue to take shape under one roof beside the Ness.
