A FORMER Wee County brewer has been re-recruited by a Forth Valley distillery.

Lisa Matthews, who created the IPA Heaven Cent during her time at Clackmannanshire’s Harviestoun Brewery, will rejoin Stirling Distillery.

The Heriot-Watt graduate worked for the distillery in 2017 and 2018 and had a variety of roles as part of the team including e-marketing, bottling and labelling and managing gin sales.

She also worked at the annual Stirling Gin festival and Whisky Festival as well as supporting intimate private functions.

With years of experience working in the drinks industry including with Bruichladdich and Eden Mill distilleries, Lisa is now working on a new-make spirit for Stirling Distillery’s new line of whisky.

Speaking about her appointment, she said: “Stirling Distillery has always felt like home to me so I’m excited to be back in the team and starting on this whisky journey with them.

“I love the focus they have on celebrating Stirlingshire history and how they integrate it into their spirits and packaging.

“It’s an honour to be part of the team and at a very exciting time for Stirling Distillery as they expand into whisky production.”

Lisa completed a degree in Brewing and Distilling last year while working part-time at the Clacks company, and was subsequently taken on full-time as a junior brewer in May, 2019.

The following year she created her much-anticipated first product, an IPA called Heaven Cent.

Speaking at the time, she said: “I think it’s fantastic that there are more women taking leading roles in the brewing industry than ever before and I’m really proud to be part of that growing trend.

“Harviestoun has been brewing in the shadow of the Ochil Hills in Clackmannanshire since 1983, so we were making craft beer in Scotland long before it became a popular trend.”

Visit stirlinggin.co.uk for more information on the products available.