BEER fans in Germany are stocking up on Scottish beer by the pallet load to ensure supply doesn’t stop in the event of a hard Brexit.

Cairngorm Brewery Company, the award-winning Aviemore-based craft brewer, has said it is seeing Bavarian buyers expedite and increase their orders ahead of April 12 to ensure their German customers are well stocked.

The brewery’s managing director, Sam Faircliff, said the uncertainty around trade has increased business.

She continued: “We have received an unusually large order for more than 5000 bottles of our Cairngorm and Loch Ness branded beers from Germany, one of Europe’s largest beer markets.

“Receiving an order like this and in these circumstances is a testament to the ability of Scottish producers to carve out a lane for themselves, even in the most hotly-contested markets.”

But Faircliff, pictured, acknowledged the UK’s planned exit from the EU was also having a negative impact on growth, explaining Brexit had been a barrier to gaining new customers.

Martin Johnson, regional head of international and key sectors at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said Scottish food and drink’s association with high quality kept it in demand in different markets.

He added: “Drinks businesses such as Cairngorm Brewery should continue to take advantage of the strong Scottish brand and the routes to the international marketplace that have been paved by the likes of malt whisky and Scottish salmon.”

Faircliff explained the brewery does want to increase its turnover across Europe.

“We are in the process of building an extension at the brewery which will increase efficiency and reduce the cost of our products. This will allow us to be more competitive in European markets, as we do anticipate export tariffs for Europe are going to increase.”