Innis & Gunn Edinburgh City Centre Brewery Taproom — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Embarrassing

This review is strictly relating to the Beer. I have been here a few times over the years. The place tries to masquerade as a Craft Beer pub, but it really isn't. Nobody who loves beer would serve it this poorly. Last night I was served some of the worst beer I have ever tasted in Edinburgh. Let me explain, I am not calling into question the quality of the beer in the keg, that is subjective. Its the management, or lack thereof, the lines, temperature and gas I am referring to.

I got the first round. I had, I think it was a Nothern Monk hazy pale. Over £5 for a half is very lively, but I don't mind paying the quality. This beer was coldish (there is a theme here), but almost entirely flat. Having never had this beer before, I didn't know whether it is just a low gas beer. My friend both the next round, so I didn't get a chance to taste before I bought. He got me a pint of Gunpowder IPA at £6.25 a pint I believe. This beer was categorically room temperature, not even remotely cold. And it was flat as a pancake. It was quite frankly disgusting. I have no idea how I&G can serve their own beer, in their own bar, so poorly. I refused to drink it, brought it to the barman, explained my issue. He did that thing where he looked at me suspiciously, then tasted the beer. Did he think I was lying. He then passed me off to another barman. He asked me if I wanted another Gunpowder, I told him I did not, I would like a Tank beer because at least it was chilled (my girlfriend had that, I took a taste, it was chilled at least. Very much not my style of beer, but it was cold). He then went on to tell me the Gunpowder and Tank were using the same cooling system. If that is the case, it is broken. Drank the Tank beer, not a beer fan, but at least it was coldish. Had another after that, this one seemed warmer than the one before. That's when I said to the others I am not willing to spend any more money in this place.

The staff in here need a rocket. At one stage there were 6 empty glasses on our table. While 5 bar people stood behind the bar. It took at leas two rounds for those empties to build up, no one took them away. I had to bring them to the bar myself. Two of the bar staff were more interested in throwing glasses to one another. Perhaps they had recently watched the film Cocktail for the first time. If I was an owner of Innis & Gun, I would be embarrassed by this place. Imagine someone who had never drank I&G before, tasting your beer for the first time in this state. You would lose custom and sully your name. I would send a secret customer into this place if I was you.

Lastly is the price. Craft beer is expensive, we all know that. The prices in here for non I&G beers are ridiculous, maybe that is intentional to drive you towards their own products. Leith Pils was £4.95 for 2/3's, that is mad money. All the non I&G beers were served in measures less than a pint, which if you bought a pint of, would cost you between £7.50 to £10 a pint.

I have attached some pics of the Tank beer. Just look at them, if you know beer, you know there is nothing good in these pictures. The beer is a microcosm of the experience in the bar, insipid

I'll avoid this place like the plague going forward. If they can't be bothered to serve their own beer well, I certainly won't part with my hard end cash for it. Soooooooo many better...

Innis & Gunn Taproom is located on Lothian Road and although it looks small from the outside, it’s a mighty space inside with plenty of large tables and benches. You might find yourself sharing with others though. They have live music on weekends and welcome well behaved dogs!

Most of the staff are friendly and helpful with several check backs and topping up of drinks. We headed out on a Wednesday night and it was extremely busy, so I would definitely encourage you to book a table if you are going to eat.

But lets get back to the amazing deal that is Steak Frites.

For seven days a week you can enjoy their Steak Frites for £19.95.

For this you’ll start with a glass of The Original with the chef’s starter and then a chargrilled 35 day dry aged Scottish steak, garlic butter fries and The Original steak sauce. The fries are bottomless so you can ask for as many as you want whilst you can dine on a second steak at no extra charge! I reckon this is a foodie bargain of note.

To start, our Bruschetta Bite was tasty. Piled high with a finely diced tomato salsa, drizzled with balsamic atop a thin crunchy bread base. Not a crumb or morsel was left.

Soon after washing down the Bruschetta with large glugs of beer, the Steak Frites arrived. Lying between the thin crispy well seasoned, garlic butter fries, and the tender chargrilled 35 day dry aged Scottish steak, lay a valley of The Original Beer steak sauce; almost like a very mild extremely creamy pepper sauce. Fries bring the crunch, steak brings soft succulent umami and the sauce brings it all together in a luxurious hug.

We ordered a side of Charred Hispi Cabbage with red wine jus glaze and crispy onions (£7). This was utterly gorgeous. And the Salt and Vinegar Onion Rings (£6) - crunchy with soft sweet silky soft onions inside.

The Vegan/Vegetarian offer is Mushroom Steak Frites - herb and applewood crumbed flat cap mushrooms with garlic ‘butter’ fries and a red wine jus for £17.95

This truly is the perfect pairing with beer so I’ m off to enjoy another steak and a Mango on the Run!

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Very disappointed in our visit to Beer Kitchen Edinburgh yesterday 2/7/17. Out celebrating family birthday arrived at Beer Kitchen busy as I imagined it would be. We didn't know the etiquette stood waiting see if a staff member approach no one did. We decided to make our way to empty seating we seen. Walking by waitress in picture added she made a remark very aggressive I thought sent us back to stand we did not know if was at stairs door etc. there are no sighs as you would expect if you had to wait to be seated that fine. This staff member had eventually made her way to waiting area that was beside us whether she was under stress or just had bad day she proceeded to take it out on myself and family. I said to her we didn't know where in pub she meant us stand as there are no signs suggesting we do so nothing . We had waited for someone to seat us it didn't happen no one around no signs or instructions to guide customer so we assumed we seat our self. No way should we have to be met by staff member being aggressive then not let us into empty seating but insist we go back stand in area with no signs or instruction. Due to me mentioning this she became more aggressive in attitude . I again explained there was no one came forward to seat us... No signs suggesting we stand wait to be seated what else can customer do... By this time she had built up an anger I was met by aggressive staff member refusing to serve my family asked us leave. I have never been more embarrassed in my life or indeed been ask to leave any premises ever was very shocked also family very disappointed could not celebrate a birthday. Most shocking customer service I have received in my life. I couldn't get hold of a manager to put my complaint decided to put it here. and few other places before I contact head office requiring how their staff lack customer service being competent in customer focusing role. I just want the public see how one staff member with an aggressive nature can have huge effect on business no management prepared to come forward sort out a resolution...