william mcewan opened the fountain brewery in fountainbridge, edinburgh, in 1856. the firm underwent several mergers in the following century, including with local rival william younger's, and later with newcastle breweries to form scottish & newcastle. its popular brands included 80/-, a heavy beer, and export, an india pale ale. all of the draught beers (except best scotch) were brewed at the caledonian brewery in edinburgh, whilst the canned and bottled beers were produced at the eagle brewery in bedford, england. the beers are sold predominantly in scotland and the north east of england.