Raise a glass for the return of beer making to Dumbarton with the opening of the Lennox Brewery.

IT professionals Andrew Jarvis and Iain McLaren – a local councillor – have turned their hands to brewing and opened their first premises to bring their craft beers to market.

The premises is in the vicinity of Dumbarton Central station, with the pair claiming the Lennox Brewery heralds a new era of beer production in the town.

Iain, 44, from Dumbarton, said: “It feels great. It’s not that long since we had the initial idea. We’ve got a wee bit of work to do but we hope to have beer bottled by the end of April.

“Scotland is a great brand, and to be a part of that is incredible.”

Andrew, 38, added: “Beer has been a passion of mine for many years, both as a consumer and a keen home-brewer, so opening Lennox Brewery is a dream come true for me.

“I’m passionate about the quality and flavour of beers I produce, and I’m looking forward to turning these into products that everyone can enjoy.”

And an important aim for the two is to bring an ‘eco-friendly’ approach to their beer making to both reflect and protect the clean, fresh Scottish air and landscape.

Iain said: “We are going to try and source our ingredients as locally as possible and try and create as little waste as we can, using by-products of the brewing for other procedures as well. We think there are a few more imaginative ways to do it.”

Damon Scott, chief executive of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the new venture.

He said: “Iain’s IT company is already an active member of the chamber so we are looking forward to bringing his new venture into the fold too.

“Craft beer is a thriving industry across Scotland and the UK and one that has real potential both domestically and abroad and, as members of the Scottish Chambers network, we can provide some excellent opportunities for businesses like this to develop their potential and reach out to international markets.

“It is great that Iain and Andrew recognise the importance and value of Scotland as a brand as well as linking the local heritage and history of brewing in the area. On a personal level I am looking forward to sampling first hand some of the Lennox Brewery’s new recipes.”