Intro
We teamed up with rising star of Scottish comedy, Kim Blythe, for a brand-new beer that’s bursting with flavour and full of laughs (but don’t worry… it doesn’t taste funny).
The latest edition of our Canned Laughter series brings together comedy, craft beer and a celebration of one of the world’s most renowned arts festivals, all just a stone’s throw from our Edinburgh brewery.
Meet Kim Blythe
Kim Blythe is quickly making a name for herself well beyond the Scottish comedy scene, known for her razor-sharp observations, social commentary, and exceptionally funny greenscreen lists.
Every Christmas, Kim and her brother would split a Vault City Mega Mixed Case, opting for the sourest beers they could get their hands on. After posting about our beers on TikTok we started chatting with Kim, sending out a care package of our latest Iron Brew variations with our new favourite Scottish comedian.
Then, once Kim was planning her 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Show, we decided to shoot our shot, asking if she’d like her very own beer as part of our Canned Laughter series. If you’ve caught her stand-up shows or laughed along with her viral TikTok videos, you’ll know exactly why we wanted to collaborate.
Cowboy at Edinburgh Fringe
Kim’s 2025 Fringe show ‘Cowboy’ is all about “winging it” through her meteoric rise to fame in the comedy scene across the global stage, on and offline. The show focuses on trying to make sense of chaos in the modern world, which is something we can all relate to. It’s raw, real, and absolutely hilarious.
Just like Cowboy, this beer doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it sure packs a punch (and a punchline)!
Canned Laughter Series
Back in 2022, we canned Ed Gamble’s laughter (yes, really) in the first edition of our Fringe collab series. Similar to our partnership with Kim, it came about in the most organic way like all modern love stories, by sliding into Ed’s DMs after a few shared likes on Instagram. After hearing a few Vault City shout-outs on Off Menu Podcast, we knew the feeling was mutual. However, from the horse’s mouth, it was in fact James Acaster that got Ed started on his sour beer journey, which led him to Vault City.
Taking inspiration from the Norwegian Yeast Scream, a tradition that started in Stjørdalen, Norway, where brewers would give a hearty howl right into the tank as they pitch the yeast in the hope it would make the beer strong and the people who drink it cheerful. We like to keep screaming to a minimum in the brewery, so we opted for laughter instead. It seemed only fitting when working with a famous comedian during the Fringe Festival.
Blueberry Honeyberry Limoncello Sorbet
“Something really sour, and with Scottish fruit” Kim said to us when we started planning our collaboration. We both wanted a punchy beer with a strong punchline – and that’s exactly how Cowboy Canned Laughter was born.
This beer is packed to the brim with juicy fresh fruit flavour combining blueberries, honeyberries, vanilla and zesty lemon to leave you grinning after every sip.
Neil Slorance Art
Collaborating with a Scottish comedian made it only right to team up with a Scottish artist, too. Enter Neil Slorance – known for his distinctive style, tortoise hibernation videos, live Eurovision sketches, and he even drew a cartoon family portrait of Vault City founder, Steve, in the early days of Vault City! So, Neil had been on our radar for a while now and we were so excited to work together.
We commissioned Neil to create a ‘fruit shoot’ label with cartoon Kim on horseback, cowboy hat on, firing blueberries and lemons from finger guns. Neil brought this wild brief to life in the most brilliant, playful way.
Charity Partner
In our original Canned Laughter series with Ed Gamble, we made a pledge to donate 20% of profits to C.A.L.M, Campaign Against Living Miserably, Ed’s chosen charity. This time around, we’re pledging 20% of profits to Save the Children, Kim’s chosen charity.
Where to Get It
Want to try this awesome special edition beer? You’re already in the right place! Pick your up from our web store, or from some of the amazing bottle shops and bars across the UK who’ll be stocking our partnership session sour.
You can also pop into our Wee Vault Haymarket taproom to try it on tap, or pick it up from our takeaway fridge!