Robert Burns and Beer

With Burns' Night approaching on the 25th January, we thought it would be a great idea to have a little look at Burns' relationship with beer.

Although it's obvious from his works that Burns was most partial to whisky, he makes several references to ale throughout his poems, with several such as “O gude ale comes and gude ale goes” (which you can find below), and “Lady Onlie, Honest Lucky” being dedicated to beer and brewing. He also references beer throughout his other works, telling his friend John Syme that if he had malts and hops of the same quality of the lawyer, then he would produce a fine drink. The poet clearly enjoyed a spot of beer along with wine and whisky.

So before you enjoy a dram, why not a Guid Ale to celebrate Scotland's National Poet, although we don't advise too many lest you should follow the same path as poor Tam.

O gude ale comes and gude ale goes

O gude ale comes and gude ale goes,
Gude ale gars me sell my hose, 
Sell my hose, and pawn my shoon, 
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon.

I had sax owsen in a pleugh, 
They drew a' weel eneugh,
I sald them a', ane by ane, 
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon.

Gude ale hauds me bare and busy, 
Gars me moop wi' the servant hizzie, 
Stand i' the stool when I hae done, 
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon.

O gude ale comes and gude ale goes,
Gude ale gars me sell my hose, 
Sell my hose, and pawn my shoon, 
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon.