T|E|H On Tour – Edinburgh 2023 – Fierce Tap Toom & Wee Vaults Taproom

Hello there fellow beer lovers,

We have returned to have a look in at the Third & Fourth stops of the lads journey, Fierce Beer & Wee Vaults Tap Room. These ones were shorter visits as they had quite a few pubs on their route this day, which we will be showcasing tomorrow. But the plan is to return to these ones next year and do them justice!

First up is Fierce Beer, this one was just a stones throw away from where the lads were staying on Rose Street. They first opened the tap room in 2019, and its still going strong. They offer quite a number of their own beers as well as some that are from all around the world. In fact, I believe this is the only place they drank something not Scottish. However, please don’t hold that against them though, as it was something rather unusual..Fierce also have fully embraced the beer flight culture, and are happy to talk you through or supply a flight of tipples if you are unsure on what it is you want to drink. Their final note on the place that’s not beer related reads:

“Cracking quiz, but its bloody hard! *Clap*”

But what Beers did they have?..

Pic of Beer List.

Fierce Beer Co , Dark Mild (4.5% ABV)

Appearance: Really dark reddish brown ale with a slightly off white tight head
Scent: Malty, with a good hit of that traditional mild scent.
Body: Thin to medium bodied, well carbonated with decent head retention.
Taste: Its a robust malt led traditional mild, very sessionable, possibly a hint of rye in there too.

Stu’s Thoughts: “Definitely a decent Traditional Dark Ruby mild, very sessionable at 4.5% and not lacking in flavour either.“

Stuarts Rating: 3.5/ 5.0

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Fierce Beer Co , Fierce Rhubarb, Fruit Pale Ale (GF) (4.6% ABV)

Appearance: Light Pale Ale, with a Thin White Head when poured.
Scent: Very fruity/ Rhubarb notes, hint of sourness and hop.
Body: Thin to medium bodied, quire flat, good head retention.
Taste: Easy drinking pale ale with oodles of Rubarb, and a mild hop.

Sam’s Thoughts: “This is a gluten free, vegan friendly beverage. and unlike other ones, this one certainly delivers of flavour, its veeeery rhubarb-y, if you don’t like rhubarb, try something else!“

Sam’s Rating: 3.6/ 5.0

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And now for something.. Scottish.. Irish

The White Hag – Irish Puca, Lemon, berry, Hibiscus & Ginger Sour
Appearance: A Very opaque, sunset orange, with a white head when poured.
Scent:
Body: Medium bodied, well carbonated but no head retention.
Taste: Very Medicinal taste, with a soothing lemon and dark fruits, it reminded me of a dark fruit soother.

Sam’s Thoughts: “Wow, this one is a bit odd, I imagine this would be amazing if you had a touch of a sore throat a boozy throat lozengier to keep you going through the night!“

Sam’s Rating: 3.7/ 5.0

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Moving on from Fierce having beet firmly placed last in the quiz, the boys headed across to the Wee Vault, and my is it Wee.

Their scrawled notes read as follows:

“Small and yet perfectly formed… sounds familiar.“

“The Wee Vault, is located on Haymarket, and my my it is very popular! The Vault City Team have done a really good job of creating a snug tap room with plenty of take away goodies, that certainly doesn’t lack in atmosphere and character.“

Sam’s notes

There is then, a line of basically unintelligible scrawl followed by “full of little details, especially the toilet floor” Upon questioning, Sam let me know that they have a resin set floor with vault city bottle caps inset into it along with a half keg toilet. So its good to know they put as much thought into their facilities as they did the beer.

Unfortunately they had a flyby night visit as all of the seats were reserved, but they managed to squeeze themselves in for 10 minutes and enjoy the most Scottish beverage on the menu, and on tap no less!

Vault City Brew Co – Iron Brew (5.5% ABV)
Appearance: Clear Iron Brew Orange with a tight white head when poured
Scent: Acidic & slightly sweet on the nose with a definite classic Irn Bru smell, with a slightly sour edge.
Body: Medium bodied, well carbonated, and decent head retention.
Taste: Sweet, fizzy, and a little tart, with Original Iron brew and a touch of bubblegum.

Sam’s Thoughts:
“There is a definite difference between the tap and the canned bev, fresh, and a great event beer, had to drink this one as we were in Scotland, would definitely drink this one again.“

Stuarts Thoughts:
“Not a “conni-sour” of sour beers, but this one was very pleasant, crisp and refreshing, and really took the edge of my hangover!”

Sam’s Rating: 4.1 / 5.0
Stuarts Rating : 3.8 / 5.0