THE mystery behind Tennent’s giant East End brewery, which has played a vital role in the city for centuries, is to be uncovered in a new walking tour.

Glasgow’s answer to the famous Guinness Storehouse tour of Dublin, will open its doors today taking guests inside the Drygate factory which has produced the famous lager since its inception in the late 1800s.

The Evening Times was invited for a first look at the attraction, which takes around one hour and 30 minutes, before it’s capped off with a pint of the beloved drink.

Alan McGarrie, brand director for the lager firm, said: “There are so many families in this city who have been touched by Tennent’s as an employer so it’s quite exciting for people to see come behind the doors and see what we do.

“People are really passionate about it as well – people don’t work here just because. People are really proud to work for Tennent’s and this is our chance to show why that is.

“Whether you’re a fan of the drink, or the history or cultural impact the brewery had on Glasgow, there’s something for everyone.”

Including my own grandparents, who met while working on the production line in the early 60s.

The story goes my grandmother, Mary, dropped a bottle of the beloved beer resulting in a cut to her hand, in swooped my grandfather, George, to help and the rest is history.

Another family with connections to the brewery dating back even further are the Smiths. Donald Smith the third officially opened the centre yesterday on the very site he was born.

Before the brewery’s expansion, the now 90-year-old Donald was born within a tenement which stood next door.

Both his father and grandfather – also named Donald – worked in the brewery and at age 13 he became a stable boy, caring for the horses who transported the beer.

By the time he retired, Donald hadn’t only risen through the ranks but he had seen the introduction of trucks and oversaw the delivery process for thousands of bottles of the beer.

“Although that story is unique, there are so many,” Alan said.

“We’ve heard of so many family links, everyone in Glasgow knows someone who worked here it seems.”

Those keen to take part can wander through certain aspects of the brewery’s mini-museum for free to bask in the history of the famous factory.

While audiences can take part in The Tennent’s Story for £12.50, which provides a guided tour of the centre as well as a chance to take a sneak peek at the production process – which produces around 1,000 bottles and 2,000 cans a minute – before pulling up a stool at the newly kitted out bar for a quick refreshment.

An eye-catching centrepiece showcasing the 1,000 bottles takes pride of place in the brewery, while its surroundings tell of the iconic history which has unfolded throughout the years.

Such as the 150-year-old bottle of stout, which pre-dates the creation of Tennent’s Lager, which has been returned to its home of Wellpark Brewery after it was found in a Perth shipwreck.

Or a hotel sign which was made to advertise the sale of the lager in the accommodation in 1939, shortly before Second World War, hidden in storage due to blackout laws for fear of Nazi bomb attacks which has been lit for the first time in 80 years.

And even a decades-old television advert featuring the legendary Bing Crosby.

The event is already attracting interest from the Glasgow public and international tourists, as well as the star of hit TV show Line of Duty.

Martin Compston, who is hoping to have a Tennent’s tap installed in the new bar of his Arizona home, was the first person through the doors of The Tennent’s Story.

The actor, best known for playing Detective Sargent Steve Arnott in the gritty BBC drama, took a break from the filming of its fifth season to attend the launch of the Tennent’s visitor centre.

He said: “I’m massively impressed; the place looks amazing.

“Obviously, I know my way around a pint of Tennent’s very well, but I was blown away by the history of the whole thing – the connections to Robert Burns and Bonnie Prince Charlie and some incredible photos going back through the years.

“It’s going to be a great attraction for the East End of Glasgow, but something like Tennent’s, it’s more than a beer; it’s part of our culture and our heritage.

“It deserves something at this sort of scale and it was an honour to be invited to be the first person to check it out.”

The attraction aims to be the biggest beer destination in the UK, with city coming together to celebrate to the famous drink.

Alan added: “It was a privilege to have Martin into Wellpark to be the first person to experience the new visitor centre.

“We know he enjoys a Tennent’s and we were excited to showcase it to a real fan of the brand.

“It has been an incredible transformation, watching the space develop into a truly immersive experience that showcases the brewery, the beer and the brand.

“The Tennent’s Story is going to take people behind the scenes like never before, and we can’t wait to open the doors to fans from today.”

l The Tennent’s Story is open for booking now via tennentstours.com.