When it comes to craft beer, the best brews don’t always start as bestsellers—they start as experiments. That’s exactly the thinking behind the LAB Series from Cold Town Beer, an Edinburgh-based brewery known for its bold flavors, creative branding, and grassroots innovation.
The LAB Series is more than a limited edition—it’s a brewery playground, giving beer lovers a chance to taste what’s next before it becomes mainstream. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a brewery’s creative process (and taste some seriously unique pints along the way), here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the Cold Town LAB Series?
The LAB Series is Cold Town Beer’s in-house experimental range. It’s where brewers test new recipes, play with hops, explore unconventional ingredients, and break free from the constraints of their core range.
Unlike polished, mass-produced releases, LAB beers are small batch, unfiltered, and often brewed with feedback in mind. It’s their way of trialling future favourites while giving drinkers something unexpected.
Examples of recent LAB brews include:
- Peach & Basil Sour – a zesty, herbaceous twist on summer sours
- Cherry Cola Pale Ale – nostalgic, fruity, and surprisingly sessionable
- Black Forest Stout – rich and chocolatey with a tang of cherry
Each beer is released with minimal hype, allowing flavor—not fanfare—to speak for itself.
Why It Matters: Taste Before It Hits the Market
Cold Town doesn’t just experiment for fun (though they clearly do that too). These brews are used to gauge real-world reactions from customers at Cold Town House or through online orders.
If a LAB beer becomes popular, it could be scaled into the CORE range. This means drinkers have a direct influence on the brand’s evolution.
“We launched our Mango IPA as a LAB batch in summer. People couldn’t stop asking for it. A few months later—it became part of our core lineup.”
— Cold Town Brew Team
Where to Find LAB Series Beers
LAB beers are brewed in small batches, so they’re not available everywhere. But if you know where to look, you can stay ahead of the curve.
Here’s where to find them:
- Cold Town House (Edinburgh): The best place to try new LAB beers fresh from the tank
- coldtownbeer.com/shop: Limited releases appear for nationwide delivery
- Local collaborations: Sometimes LAB releases appear in bars and festivals Cold Town partners with
Tip: Follow Cold Town on social media or subscribe to their newsletter to get first notice when LAB beers drop.
How to Get the Most Out of a LAB Tasting
If you’re building a mixed pack or visiting the taproom, keep these ideas in mind:
- Try unfamiliar styles: LAB Series is your chance to taste beyond IPAs and lagers—think sours, saisons, or pastry stouts.
- Pair with food: Experimental beers often shine with unique pairings—try citrusy brews with Thai dishes or dark stouts with chocolate desserts.
- Give feedback: Your opinion could help shape future brews. Cold Town encourages tagging and commenting via Instagram to share your thoughts.
Final Thoughts
The LAB Series is a rare invitation to step inside the creative heart of a craft brewery. It’s where Cold Town Beer throws out the rulebook, follows flavor instincts, and invites its community to join the journey.
So next time you spot a LAB release, don’t hesitate—grab it, taste it, and know that you’re getting a first sip of what could be Cold Town’s next big hit.
Explore current LAB beers at coldtownbeer.com and be part of the taste evolution.