WHAT'S BEEN BREWING AT VAULT CITY THIS FEBRURARY
Welcome to the February Brewsletter! Your round-up of everything we’ve been brewing, launching and celebrating over the past month. From a big day at Murrayfield with customers and partners, and new additions to the Stoopid series, to the official launch of The Vault and collaborations stretching across Europe and the US, it’s been a packed few weeks at Vault City. Here’s a look at what February had in store.
O SOUR OF SCOTLAND
In February, we welcomed over 50 customers and suppliers to Edinburgh for our much-loved biennial trade event at Murrayfield to watch Scotland vs England, and what a day it turned out to be. Guests joined us for a brewery tour (with a few sours along the way) before heading to Murrayfield for a huge afternoon of rugby.
The event continues to grow year after year, and 2026 was no exception, bringing together some of our UK and international partners who help us champion modern sours and stouts across the world. With an unforgettable result on the pitch, we’re starting to wonder if Team Vault City might just be Scotland’s lucky charm. Roll on 2028!
FEELING A LIL STOOPID?
February was all about embracing the Stoopid. What began in January 2024 as one slightly unhinged idea has grown into a full series, with seven Stoopid sours now under our belts. Built around the high fruiting levels that have defined Vault City since the early days, the Stoopid series continues to push flavour first.
These smoothie sours are unapologetically thick and intensely fruity, loaded with unfermented fruit and finished with creamy coconut for a full-on fruit medley in every sip.
This month marked a first for the series as we released a duo at the same time. Stoopid: Passionfruit, Apricot, Mango & Coconut Smoothie Sour delivers bright tropical character with layers of juicy mango, sharp passionfruit and soft apricot balanced by smooth coconut. Alongside it, A Lil Stoopid: Strawberry, Blackberry & Coconut Smoothie Session Sour keeps the same fruit intensity and texture, but dials things back slightly for a more sessionable serve.
THE VAULT IS OPEN
We kicked off 2026 by officially launching The Vault, our refreshed allocations programme designed to recognise and reward the loyal trade customers who have supported our journey and helped champion modern sours and stouts across the UK and beyond.
Built around feedback from our customer survey at the end of 2025, The Vault streamlines our release schedule to three fresh beers per drop, generally every two weeks, creating a simple and consistent commitment paired with meaningful benefits and quarterly gifts for venues.
Members receive priority access to all our releases, exclusive brewery updates, POS support, social media spotlight opportunities, and access to our most limited small batch releases including Gloop, Unbarreled and some of our export exclusives, alongside a Vault exclusive welcome pack and pin badge.
A TASTE OF FRANCE
This month also sees the arrival of Tarte Tatin, a pastry sour brewed in collaboration with Paris craft OG Philippe Cotonnec and his team from L’Atalante. The beer is inspired by one of France’s most iconic desserts.
Much like the original upside-down apple tart, the beer leans into sweet apple and sticky caramel flavours with a subtle nod to crisp baked pastry. Brown sugar adds rich caramelised notes, while balanced acidity keeps everything indulgent yet drinkable.
The L’Atalante team joined us at the brewery for Sour School and tank tastings before the beer heads to Paris for a tap takeover and launch party on 6th March, perfectly timed for the Scotland vs France rugby weekend. After launch, it will pour throughout the summer, with limited keg and can availability at selected craft venues across France.
ACROSS THE POND
Joe and Steve headed to Washington, DC in search of inspiration (and great beer), including visits to ChurchKey and Other Half Brewing DC.
From there it was on to Adroit Theory Brewing in Virginia, collaborators on Maple Vanilla Choc Chip Scoop back in 2022, with another Edinburgh brew already lined up. They also spent time with Funktastic Meads, before heading through Richmond to visit The Answer Brewpub and Triple Crossing Brewing.
The trip wrapped up at Sapwood Cellars in Maryland, a particularly special stop given the influence their founders’ writing has had on Steve’s brewing journey from homebrewer to co-founder.
KIPPIS TO PIPPURIKARKKI
Following the success of Blueberry Pie (or Mustikkapiirakka, for those in the know) in 2025, we're excited to announce Pippurikarkki, our second Finnish exclusive beer, brewed in collaboration with our importer Brukett.
Inspired by a legendary Finnish candy, this punchy sour combines sweet strawberries, sharp lemon juice and unmistakable liquorice for a bold, nostalgic flavour profile. It launches on keg at Craft Beer Helsinki at Wanha Satama on 13th March, with cans landing in Alko stores nationwide at the end of the month.
Stay tuned for our March updates. It’s shaping up to be a sweet one!
