My home bar’s is the best in Scotland – it’s earned me a year of free beer

A SCOTS couple have been awarded a year of free booze after their home bar won a nationwide competition.

Dumfries duo Graham Laurie and Tracy Kennedy were among hundreds of people who built pubs in their own homes.

Graham, who runs his own forklift training company, was unable to travel for work due to Covid restrictions in 2020.

As he was working from home, he started work on his house throughout lockdown.

But he soon launched a project of building a bar in his garden for his family to enjoy.

He created The White Rhino, complete with custom signs, special glass doors and an outdoor beer garden.

Graham and Lauren even kitted out The White Rhino with a range of beer taps and even a pool table.

He is able to produce ice-cold pints of Tennent’s, Madri, Heineken, San Miguel, Fosters Birra Moretti and Guinness from the comfort of his own garden.

He can also hand out pints of Strongbow and Dark Fruits cider.

But their home boozer ended up coming first place in a national contest after daughter Megan submitted photos to judges without them knowing.

But The White Rhino ended up being named Scotland‘s best at-home bar.

Judges ended up praising the garden pub for stunning wooden decking, extensive range of beer taps, entertainment and decor, with a pool table and several decorative posters adorning the walls.

They said it provides “the perfect venue to host family and friends.”

Graham said: “We are so pleased that our wee pub has been named as Scotland’s best at-home bar.

“It was actually our daughter Lilli who came up with the name – she spotted the Rhinovent branding on the framework when the pub was under construction and was inspired by that.

“We thought that The White Rhino worked well.”

“It really just started as a lockdown escape but has been the perfect location for lots of fun with family and friends over the last few years.”

Graham and Lauren have now been awarded a year’s free supply of craft beer from bosses at Aldi.

Aldi relaunched the competition to mark their Summer Beer Festival.

Dumfries wins for second year in a row

Last year, another pub in Dumfries claimed the top prize, meaning the town’s home boozers have been top of the list for two years in a row.

Last year Bob Carter, 72, came first place for the Garage Bar in his Dumfries home.

Graham Nicolson, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said: “The standard of entries for this year’s ‘Best Home Bar’ competition were extremely high and really shone a light on the creativity of our customers.

“Congratulations to Graham and Tracy for winning this year’s competition – there’s clearly something in the water in Dumfries!”