We are the only brewery on the beautiful Isle of Islay, off the West Coast of Scotland.

The Islay Ales Company Limited was founded by Paul Hathaway, Paul Capper and Walter Schobert in 2003 to establish a microbrewery on the Hebridean Isle of Islay.

Paul Hathaway moved to Islay in August 2003, having come here many times on holiday in the past. His long-term ambition was to live and work on the Island. 

Paul Capper moved to Islay to live in 1994, though he only became a full time resident in January 2003 after retiring from the West Midlands Fire Service after 27 years. 

Walter Schobert recently retired after many years working as the curator of the German Film Museum in Frankfurt, Germany. He has a life long interest in beer and Single Malt Scotch Whisky, both of which he has written on extensively. With his interest in Single Malt Whisky it was natural for him to retire to Islay with its seven working distilleries. 

Sharing an interest in beer, the three naturally decided that an Island with seven distilleries producing some of the most famous whiskies in the world, needed a brewery, and hence decided to establish a microbrewery on Islay. 

The aim was to bring quality real ales to Islay, Jura and Colonsay for the enjoyment of both locals and visitors alike. 

Islay Ales is about producing hand crafted, high quality cask and bottle conditioned beers (also known as real ale) to be enjoyed either in a local pub or hotel bar or, should the mood take you, at home. Islay Ales is available in these places.

If you've tried our beers, please sign our guestbook.