Why does the city center of Edinburgh always smell like hops?

Answer by  patti (29325)

The aroma comes from the North British Distillery. The distillery has installed mechanisms over the years to cut back on the smell, which has come to be part of the city's identity. In September 2009, North British Distillery announced plans to install a 30-meter emissions control tower in the dark grains plant, which would virtually eliminate the smell.

Answer by  Liz59 (10966)

Well it smells like hops because of the North British distillery. Because of this, you will find a gross smell coming into your nose. That is the reason. Unfortunately, we have to bear that smell unless they close down the North British distillery and that is what we are hoping for.

Answer by  chrisshah (172)

Edinburgh was and still goes by its old name - "Ye Olde Reeky". As you know, reeky comes from reeking. Edinburgh has quite a few scotch whisky distilleries and the chemicals used give it its distinct smell.

Answer by  BrendaG (6111)

There are breweries there and hops is used in that process, allowing the smells waft over the area. Edinburgh was one of the top cities where brewing started in Scotland.

Answer by  Heloise (397)

I am not sure everyone would agree with you that it does. I have never noticed it when I was visiting. However, Edinburgh does have a long association with beer brewing, and used to be home to over 40 breweries. Sadly, only one of these survives. Brewing smells of... hops. So it may be this you could smell.

Answer by  Anonymous

I come from Edinburgh. The smell starts as a bread baking smell then gets 'hoppy' as the batch progresses. By the end of the batch it smells vinegary. The cycle repeats on a weekly basis and you end up not noticing it. Google Fountainbridge Brewery. Cheers!