Banchory Beer Festival: Top five things you can't miss

The Banchory Beer Festival has been on my radar for a number of months now. Ever since I missed out on tickets to last years summer showdown I've been dying to see what all the fuss is about. With gin, prosecco, cider, beer and street food available to sample, this is one event that's got that festival feeling I've been craving all summer.

Taking place over three days from 12 - 14 August 2016 on the Deeside Rugby Pitches, Banchory Beer Festival is anticipating a whopping 5,000 festivalgoers through its gates across the weekend. With the festival primarily catering to 18's and over, it is dedicating one full day (Sunday 14 August) to everyone, hosting a family day for all ages to enjoy. An opportunity for those families with young kids to enjoy a day out together, there is something for everyone with lots of free activities for kids including bouncy castles, ball pits, face painting and much more.

A food and drink enthusiast, and by enthusiast I mean someone who's hobby it it is to eat and drink their entire body weight every day, I've rounded up my top five vendors that you'll want to be queuing up for at the festival this summer. Featuring some North-east favourites, a new brewery and a swanky new gin.

1. FreshMex

Holy guacamole, am I glad these guys are making an appearance at Banchory Beer Festival again. Known for their bangin' dishes and offering up the freshest, homemade, fully customisable Tex-Mex street food, FreshMex are a must try to soak up all those beers.

Recently announcing their new residency at The Adams & The Hawthorn in Aberdeen, these guys have been busy, busy in serving up the hungry Harry's of Aberdeen, painting the town red with their homemade salsa. It's a yes from me.

Image from FreshMex

2. Fierce Beer

Being the newest kids on the block in the brewing industry and Aberdeen's only micro-brewery, Fierce Beer is taking the nation by storm. Already in bars as far north as John O' Groats all the way down south to London, every beer packs an intense punch of flavour, giving these guys something to really scream and shout about. With intense flavours, in your face branding and small experienced team, Fierce Beer is guaranteed to leave you thirsty for more.

3. The Bay Fish and Chips

My mouth is drooling at the thought of this already. My favourite fish and chip shop is taking to the road and bringing its award winning dishes to the festival. Yes, you lucky buggers are getting the chance to indulge in some of the finest fish and chips the nation has to offer. With it's focus on sustainability and utilising as many local producers as possible, The Bay not only creates unbelievably delicious dishes, but shows its true community spirit within the food and drink industry. A number one must try from me.

4. Dark Matter Distillers

Get your rum ting fix with Banchory's very own rum distillers. Best known for their spiced dark rum, which is recommended to be served on the rocks, this rum is deeeelicious and if you haven't already tried it, then I insist you do. Always one to push the boundaries with recommendations, I suggest adding a splash or two of ginger beer into your rum serving, I promise you won't regret it.

Image from Dark Matter Distillers

5. Stirling Gin 

Never one to miss out on an opportunity to try a new gin, and by new I mean an artisan one I've never tried before, Stirling Gin is one I am most looking forward to trying. The only product on this list to have not touched my lips before, to say I'm excited to try something new is an understatement. Recommended to add a fresh orange peel with a couple of fresh torn basil leaves to, and topping up with a premium tonic, this is one gin I'm looking forward to getting my hands on.

Image from Stirling Gin

Interested in getting involved in all the fun? Then get your tickets whilst you can because once they're gone, they're gone! The Saturday evening session has already sold out, and the other sessions are close to selling out very soon too. So if you want to come sip on gin an juice at the coolest festival in August with me and the Banchory Beer Festival gang, then you better be quick.

Session times:

Friday 12 August 2016: 6pm until midnight (strictly over 18's)

Saturday 13 August 2016: 12pm until midnight (strictly over 18's)

Sunday 14 August 2016: 12pm until 7pm (open to all ages)

All adult tickets cost £15 plus booking fee. The fee includes two drinks tokens, a programme featuuring information on everything that's happening at the festival and a bespoke festival cup.

   For Now...

Just Julia

Banchory Beer Festival: Top five things you can't miss

Banchory Beer Festival returns for a its second 'Beer @ the Barn' event which is running from the 12th - 13th of February 2016. Held indoors at the Woodend Barn in Banchory, the festival will showcase a unique selection of beers, ciders, gins and rums, supporting local and national producers with quality, artisan products at the heart of their business'.

After attending its sister festival; Inverurie Beer Festival last September, I was pretty chuffed to get the opportunity to attend Aberdeen's first 2016 beer festival of the year.

Getting a sneak peek into the festivals offering, I've pulled together a list of my top five things to try at Banchory Beer Festival this year...

1. Porter's Gin:
This will be the first festival the Aberdeen-made gin will be exhibiting at, showcasing one of the finest gins in town. After attending the official launch of the gin, this is definitely something you'll want to get your lips around.

2. Dark Matter Distillers:
Returning for a second year, Scotland's first ever distilled rum will be teasing the tastebuds of those budding festivalgoers looking for something a little different to sample at the festival . In my opinion, best served with ginger beer/ginger ale or Summerhouse Fizz hint o'mint lemonade. Divine.

3. Cromarty Brewing Co:
After sampling the breweries Rogue Wave craft beer (which was pretty wicked if I do say so myself - a very hoppy pale ale) at a another Aberdeen craft beer festival, I urge you to check these guys out. A family run business based in Cromarty, these guys have a serious passion for the brewing industry and have mastered the art of perfecting craft beer.

4. Isle of Harris Gin:
Another newbie to the UK mainland festival scene. This gin is said to have a great balance of flavours between bitter juniper and pine, and the sweet fruity flavours of mango, grapefruit and orange. A gin I've never tried, although, I'm very much looking forward to enjoying a tipple or two! Distillers of this sensational gin suggest it's best served with Walter Gregor's Scottish Tonic (yet another I need to try), a few drops of their sugar kelp aromatic water, and should be garnished with red grapefruit to a wedge of fresh lime.

5. The music: 
Local Aberdeen city and shire bands, because what's not to love about local people producing sweet, sweet music and serenading a bunch of festivalgoers? With acts including The Sunshine Social, The Liver Conditions, Full Fat and the Funky Pieces as well as The Mat Ferret Band, you Banchory Beer Festival newcomers are in for a treat.

The festival will also play host to over 15 beers from breweries such as St Andrews Brewing Co Six Degrees North, Alechemy Brewing and a few others. There will also be six ciders to sample and local catering business, Hudson's Catering, will be serving up a wide rage of flavoursome curries as well as Indian finger food.

Tickets to the festival can be purchased online here: http://www.banchorybeerfestival.com/tickets.php. But hurry, the festival sold out of tickets last year so get them whilst you can!

  For Now...

Just Julia