A global network for growth and opportunity
Connecting industry to expertise, talent and partnership
The Centre for Advanced Brewing and Distilling will connect industry to Heriot-Watt’s global ecosystem of research, education, enterprise and partnership.
The challenges facing the sector are shared across borders, from sustainable production and resource efficiency to skills, competitiveness and long-term brand resilience. Addressing them will require collaboration between industry, academia, government, investors, entrepreneurs and supply chain partners.
Edinburgh
Set within 380 acres of parkland, our Edinburgh campus is home to world-class facilities, specialist expertise and a thriving community of researchers, students and industry partners.
It provides a powerful base for brewing and distilling partners to source the ideas, talent and technologies needed to build resilience and unlock future growth.
Dubai
Dubai connects our research-informed teaching and enterprise expertise to one of the world’s most dynamic business environments. With strong links to industry and an international student community, the campus strengthens our ability to engage global markets, support global collaboration and understand the changing needs of businesses operating at scale.
Malaysia
Heriot-Watt Malaysia offers a modern, purpose-built campus in Putrajaya, providing a gateway to one of Southeast Asia’s most connected regions. The campus extends our global reach and supports collaboration across emerging markets, helping us develop globally minded graduates and partnerships shaped by international opportunity.
The Centre will act as a convening platform, bringing partners together to exchange knowledge, test ideas and accelerate practical solutions. Through Heriot-Watt’s international campuses, alumni, research partnerships and co-located expertise, it will help businesses access the insight, talent and networks needed to compete and grow globally.
Through this connected approach, the Centre will help partners to:
- test and refine ideas with access to shared expertise and specialist facilities
- build confidence in sustainability and innovation decisions before committing at scale
- connect with researchers, students, entrepreneurs and industry partners across Heriot-Watt’s global network
- translate insight into practical solutions that support long-term competitiveness
A Connected Ecosystem for Innovation: Key Collaborations
Case study example: In a groundbreaking collaboration with SWRI, Heriot-Watt researchers explored the use of spent coffee grounds as a sustainable alternative to peat for whisky flavoring. This innovative approach uncovered a new potential solution to reduce environmental strain while preserving the distinct smoky notes prized in peated whisky.
Scottish Whisky Research Institute (SWRI): Co-Located Excellence Driving Sustainability
The Scottish Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) will be a key co-located partner within the CABD, enhancing both organisations’ capacity for collaborative research in sustainability, product innovation, and quality control.
By sharing facilities and expertise, the CABD and SWRI will work together on:
- Sustainable Innovation Projects: Joint research into waste valorisation, energy-efficient distillation, and alternative raw materials like spent coffee grounds.
- Industry-Led Knowledge Exchange: Collaborative workshops, joint trials, and shared test environments where both distillers and researchers contribute insights.
- Shared Access to Analytical Tools: From Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for molecular analysis to sensory profiling tools for flavour optimisation.
University of Houston Partnership: A Global Alliance for Sustainability
Our collaboration with the University of Houston exemplifies the power of global partnerships to address shared sustainability challenges. As part of a cross-continental initiative, we are jointly exploring clean energy solutions and supply chain optimisation to directly benefit the brewing and distilling industry.
Key Collaboration Areas:
- Hydrogen Energy Integration: Joint trials on green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel for distillation heating processes.
- Carbon Capture Technology: Investigating how modular carbon capture systems can be incorporated into distillery infrastructure.
- Circular Economy in Supply Chains: Co-developing models for waste valorisation and the reuse of organic byproducts.
Case Study example: Within six months of our University of Houston partnership, six seed-funded projects were launched to tackle sustainability challenges in energy use and raw material management. One standout pilot involved simulating how hydrogen-powered distillation could reduce CO₂ emissions in whisky production, with promising early results for both efficiency and carbon reduction.
"Heriot-Watt’s global reach can connect industry to the expertise, talent and partnerships needed for sustainable growth."
Professor Dame Heather J. McGregor, Provost and Vice-Principal, Heriot-Watt University Dubai
We unite heritage and innovation to protect what makes brewing and distilling distinctive.
We help industry build resilience with the skills, insight and confidence to test, adapt and invest.
We connect talent, research and partnership to create long-term growth and opportunity.
