Scotland was a poor country and so, light ale - light in gravity, not colour - was all most people could afford. During the industrial revolution it was a substitute for poor quality drinking water. But even when water supplies improved, light ales remained popular until well after the Second World War. Usually with an abv of 3%, light ales were a particular favourite in the hard, industrial areas of the central belt where they were often used for ‘chasing’ whisky.

Often equated with the English Mild, Light Ales in fact come from an entirely different background; the old, sweet, dark 'Scotch Ales' particularly 'Tupenny', the small beer immortalised in the writing of Burns.

Scots Light can be sold under a number of names, popularly:

Light beer 60/- Ale Pale Ale

You can still enjoy a pint of Light in some Scottish pubs today!