Beer @ The Barn - The drinks you need to know about...

It's only a few weeks until Beer at the Barn kicks off at Woodend Barn and I don't know about you, but I'm very much looking forward to raising a glass to another year of awesome festivals in Aberdeen.

An avid lover of a good drinks selection, Beer at the Barn, which is organised my MFGF Events - the guys behind Banchory and Inverurie  - always boasts a pretty generous drinks offering. From Scottish beers, to English ciders, to everything in between, they cater for all tastes, and have even created their very own bespoke tonic with Summerhouse Drinks especially for the festival.

The event takes place over two days and runs from Friday 10 to Saturday 11 of February 2017. A scaled down version of the outdoor summer event, the indoor winter festival boasts three sessions with fantastic live music taking place throughout the sessions.

A Beer at the Barn first, this year will see the addition of prosecco to the drinks list which is a welcome addition for those who aren't the biggest beer fans I can imagine.

I've been lucky enough to get a sneaky peak into the drinks offering these guys will be serving up, and boy are you guys in for a treat...

All the beers (and ciders):
Local:

• Fierce Beer - if their Cranachan Killer is available, DEFINITELY try it out. Their newly launched Tropical Twist sour is also pretty bangin' too, but I'd highly recommend trying out these guys - love their pack-a-punch full of flavour brews!
• Six Degrees North - these guys do some pretty awesome Belgian beers, and they're from Stonehaven, what's not to love!?
• Deeside Brewery - handcrafted beer brewed in Royal Deeside.
• 7 Brewing - coming locally from Durris, these guys brew up small batch, traditional craft ales.

Not-so-local:

• Alchemy Brewing - an Edinburgh brewery turning grain into gold. I've heard their sour cherry black IPA is worth shouting about.
• Black Isle Brewery - all their beers are organic meaning they must be good for you, right? They'll also have a gluten free one for everyone to try too.
• Cromarty Brewery - highly recommend Rogue Wave and Happy Chappy 
• Top Out - a small independent Edinburgh based brewery brewing unconventional beers - sounds perfect for BATB.
• Beavertown - these guys have some pretty neat artwork on their cans - here's hoping they're beers are just as funky!
• Thistly Cross Cider - OH EM GEE, gimme all their ciders right here, right now...especially their strawberry and elderflower flavours!
• Pulp - an English cider company, I'm looking forward to trying their cider out - it's rhubarb flavoured!

All the gins:
Local:

• The Teasmith - an awesome new gin. If you're a fan of something a little different I'd definitely recommend this Aberdeenshire beauty.
• House of Elrick - this gin tastes delicious with a premium tonic and some orange peel and some zest on the rim of the glass. Might just have to go treat myself to one now...

Not-so-local:

• Steampunk - their pirate gin is rascal strength - now that could be dangerous!
• Whittakers - never tasted before, but the pink peppercorn botanical sounds delicious. May have to pair with some fresh strawberries and some cracked black pepper.

Rum:

Local rum distillers Dark Matter will be taking centre stage on all things rum. Delicious with ginger beer and a sprig of mint.

Prosecco:
A selection of prosecco will be available to try out.

Festival tonic:

The festival will also see a brand new tonic which has been specially created for the Beer at The Barn event. Partnering with soft drinks mastermind, Claire from Summerhouse Drinks, the team have created a Earl grey tea flavoured tonic. The tonic water is designed to go with all types of gins and is definitely worth checking out.

Tickets are now on sale here from £17.50.

Session times are below:
Session 1: Friday evening - 5.30pm - midnight
Session 2: Saturday afternoon - midday to 5.30pm
Session 3: Saturday evening - 6.30pm to midnight

For more information on the festival or future events, please visit their website here. And do let me know what drinks you're most looking forward to/try out at the festival once it's over!

  For Now...

Just Julia

North Hop Aberdeen: Top 10 tasters

So after recently visiting my very first Brew Dog AGM earlier this month and sampling a number of BrewDog's craft beers, which I surprisingly enjoyed (not a massive beer fan), to say I am excited for North Hop Aberdeen is an understatement. I love gin, cocktails and quirky foodies - I'm a little obsessed with finding some of the best foodies in Scotland - so whenever North Hop is on, I'm there in a flash.

Over the past two years I've been to every festival and have loved them all for different reasons. So when I found out that North Hop was retuning to Aberdeen for a second year I just HAD to check out what exhibitors were going to be there. With a capacity more than three times bigger than last year's festival, I was convinced the offering would have increased, and boy has it done so!

The festival, which takes place this May holiday weekend on Saturday 30 April from 12 noon - 5pm and 7- 12 midnight, and Sunday 1 May from 12 noon - 5pm at the AECC (Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre), is said to welcome around 3,000 people through it's doors. So to keep you guys on your toes, I've decided to pull together my top ten exhibitors you should definitely check out.

1. Crema caravan

The UK's very first Crème Brûlée van will be making its debut to North Hop in Aberdeen. Serving up some delicious Crema Catalana and Crème Brûlée with some of the finest, wackiest toppings you'll ever see, these guys know how to handle the heat and produce fantastic desserts. Served burnt to order, you won't miss them in Florence their retro Renault van!

Photos from Crema Caravan's Facebook page

2. Six°North

With all their beers unfiltered and carbonated naturally through secondary fermentation - they don't filter anything - nope, not their beer, style, brewers or venues for that matter, natures intent is left intact. Born form a passion for Belgian beer these Belgian brewers of Scotland brew their finest beers in the North-east, six degrees North of Brussels - do you like what they did there?

Photos from Six°North website 

3. Porter's Gin

Aberdeen's first gin to be distilled in the city for over 100 years. A premium gin with a traditional bold juniper body, this is a bottle full of ginny delight that you just have to take home to show off to your friends. Located in the cocktail lounge, join the Porter's Gin team for a sample or two and take home some special gin bottled cocktails created specially for North Hop too!

4. Stew n' Drew's

The Willy Wonka's of ice cream, this fantastically talented duo have nailed the creation of quirky ice cream on the head. With their own ice cream shop now open in Hopeman, these guys continue to wow festivalgoers with their wacky ingredients and funky flavours. From whisky ice cream, to cider sorbet, these guys will certainly sort out those sweet cravings. They're stationed in the Cocktail Lounge incase you're wondering...

Photo from Stew n' Drew's Facebook page

5. The Bay on the Road

Yabadabadoo do the infamous The Bay Fish and Chips have a treat for you! Established in 2006, The Bay has been serving up thousands of portions of sustainable Scottish fish and chips filling many happy tums, and winning a ridiculous amount of accolades along the way. 
For the first time ever, The Bay on the Road will be fishing out the best fish and chips, bringing something completely different to the festival's offering. If you haven't tried their insanely tasty fish and chips or homemade tartar sauce yet, then this is a top must try recommendation from me. GET IN MY BELLY!

6. FreshMex

When I saw these guys were attending North Hop I squealed a little. Since launching last year I have been a massive fan of the dishes this fiery dup have been producing. Serving tex-mex style cuisine, the duo behind this successful business have teased the tastebuds of the North-east using locally sourced, fresh ingredients. 
Customised to your liking, these guys are guaranteed to hit the spot. Pair with a craft beer or two.

Photos from FreshMex's Facebook page

7. Thistly Cross Cider

Onto my favourite Scottish cider, Thistly Cross Cider! With flavours like strawberry, ginger, elderflower, whisky and traditional cider, their fresh, tasty and oh-so-delicious ciders are a winner with me. If you're looking for something sweet and not a massive fan of craft beer then, I suggest you try out the strawberry or elderflower flavours, you won't be able to stay away.

Photo from Thistly Cross Cider's Facebook page

8.  Juniper | Gin Festivals and Events

My tipple of choice, the team behind the Juniper Festivals are hitting up the North-east especially for North Hop, showing off their delightful selection of craft gins from all over Scotland. With the opportunity to try an old, traditional flavour, or pursuing something different, there is a whole range of gins to discover in lovingly made cocktails and serves.
Try them neat, with premium mixtures or cocktails, it's up to you.

Photo from Juniper Gin Festival and Events Facebook page

9. Eden Mill

Scotland's first and only distillery/brewery combined. With everything they do small and craft and just a stones throw away from the home of golf, St Andrews, there really is nothing quite like the set up Eden Mill boasts. Beer, whisky or gin, just go try them all.

Photo from Eden Mill's Facebook page

10. Cue Barbecue

Last but not least a smoky affair with a side of serious meat sweats can only mean one thing, Cue Barbecue is attending. If you have a love for the deep South and enjoy Southern US and Latin American styles of barbecue then you're in for a treat. Never sampled them before? Well I can guarantee you'll want to after just smelling the food. 

Would recommend trying out with a craft beer again or a sour gin-based cocktail, be warned, if you're sampling their Angus & Oink sauces the Voodoo Mango sauce is hot, hot, hot. The one to try in my opinion is the BBQ sauce - now that's a winner for me.

With over 30 different exhibitors to chose from, there's something for everyone at North Hop Aberdeen. Whether you love traditional fish and chips, or are looking for the next big thing on the gin scene, or maybe you're looking to sample some of Scotland's finest craft beers, or put your tastebuds to the test with experimental ice cream, everyone will be catered for at the festival. Just try it all, you've got nothing to lose and soo much to gain!

As an added extra for Aberdeen festivalgoers, North Hop, alongside some of the fantastic exhibitors, has created a festival gin and a festival brew which will be exclusively available at the festival. The festival gin is a limited edition chilli and ginger gin created by Eden Mill. This will be available to sample at their bar, or in a perfect serve or cocktail at the Juniper bar. There are only 200 bottles (20cl) available to get your hands on, so you better be quick!

The festival brew is a 6.7% cask American pale ale brewed by Spey Valley Brewery using the Holy Cragg which Dunnet Bay Distillers utilised in their Holy Grass Vodka. So of course it only seemed right to call it Holy Spey APA!

For the full list of exhibitors and for tickets to the event follow the North Hop website link: 
http://northhop.co.uk/festivals/aberdeen

  For Now...

 Just Julia

North Hop Edinburgh: 10 things you don't want to miss

Anyone who knows me will understand what this festival means to me personally. After being involved for over a year, producing all of the PR articles myself, its been one heck of a journey in seeing how the festival has organically grown. With over 30 exhibitors now participating in each festival, and a number of sell-outs under its belt, North Hop is the place to be.

Taking to the road this year, the indoor craft beer festival plans to hit-up Edinburgh (5 March), Aberdeen (29 April - 30 May, Glasgow (18 - 19 June), and an unknown location in the Highlands (date tbc).

As I look to the first of many festivals this year, I'm sharing my top ten exhibitor's you'll want to ensure you pay a visit to at #northhopedi.

1. Edinburgh Beer Factory

Launched at the latter end of last year, this brewery has impressed me since the day it opened. A definite 'one to watch' in the brewing industry. I'll be sure to try out the Palozzi lager they will have on cask. At 5.2% the Munich style lager boasts Edinburgh flair and is guaranteed to tantalise the tastebuds, especially if you enjoy a malty aroma! 

Photos sourced from Edinburgh Beer Factory 

2. Roots Soda Co
Think back to your childhood when lemonade was made with real lemon juice, or when your mum squeezed fresh orange juice first thing in the morning, that's the feeling Roots Soda Co wants you to give you when you drink any of their soft drinks. A whirlwind of childhood memories infused with high quality ingredients creating the pinnacle of soft drinks, which any designated driver or non-drinker should indulge in.

Photos sourced from Roots Soda Co.

3. Drygate Brewing Co 

Since participating in a private tour with my boyfriend last year at Drygate, this brewery has held a special place close to my heart after finding out all their dirty little secrets, and when I say dirty little secrets I mean new beers they are working on. (Don't worry your secrets are safe with me!). A fan of the Outaspace Apple Ale, Drygate's beers are definitely for those festivalgoers looking for something a little more experimental...

Expect to find Drygate Pils 4.0%, Ax Man Rye IPA 5.0%, Barrel-Aged 5.3% Outaspace Apple Ale with Winter Spices, Disco Forklift Truck 5.1%, and Forelsket Session IPA 4.0% all on keg at the festival.

Photos sourced from Drygate

4. Reekie's Smokehouse

A well-known lover of BBQ sauce, this is one festival exhibitor I am very much looking forward to indulging in. With two authentic American built BBQ smokers, homemade sauces, and the majority of their ingredients and produce being sourced locally what's not to love!? 

Come fill yer face and indulge in some seriously pulled pork.

Photos sourced from Reekie's Smokehouse

5. The Marshmallow Lady

Established in 2010, the award-winning company is one which I have been desperate to visit. With flavours including key lime pie with a biscuit base, prosecco and rose petals, maple bacon and raspberry, and gin and tonic with a slice of lime marshmallows, these wee works of art will be one of the first things I hunt down at North Hop.

Already well-established, these sweet treats will definitely be a hit.

6. 10 Dollar Shake

Festival residents since the very first North Hop festival back in 2014, the team at 10 Dollar Shake  will be providing high quality, creative tipples for all you lovely people to get your lips around. The Aberdeen-based mixologists have teamed up with family-owned distiller William Grant & Sons, and will be serving up a wide range of cocktails and signature serves in the cocktail lounge.

You can expect them to be serving spirits including, Hendricks Gin, Monkey Shoulder, Sailor Jerry, Balvenie Single Malt and Reyka Vodka.

Photos sourced from 10 Dollar Shake

7. Dunnet Bay Distillers

Masterminds of one of Scotland's finest gins, Rock Rose Gin, you will find these guys serving up plenty of Rock Rose in the cocktail lounge, mixing up delightful creations using their hand-crafted spirits, all the way from the very North of Scotland.

Catch Brand Ambassador, Jody Buchan, in the cocktail lounge, recommending the perfect serves for Rock Rose and on hand to answer all of your Rock Rose queries.

Photo sourced from Rock Rose Gin

8. El Cartel Casera Mexicana

Gracing the festival for the first time, El Cartel will be serving up some seasonal Mexican cuisine. These tremendous taco rascals will be teasing festivalgoers with their Mexican flavours whilst serving up some frozen margaritas to cool those tastebuds down. Catch them in the Beer Hall.

Photos sourced from El Cartel

9. Poporopo
If I urge you to do one thing and one thing only, then you must try every single flavour possible. This gourmet popcorn is handmade and comes in four core flavours, with a few extras just for fun. A must try is definitely the peanut butter one, oh, and the Sea salt one too. There's never been a snack so satisfying...

Photo sourced from Poporopo

10. Solid Liquids - The Rum Surgery and Juniper Pop-Up Gin Stop

The crafty team behind Solid Liquids will be serving up all sorts behind the bar over the festival period. These gin geniuses will be using 12 Scottish gins in their lovingly made cocktails, and will also be serving up some serious rum tipples. Expect to see Chairman’s Reserve Gold Rum, Spiced Rum, White Rum, and Forgotten Casks, all served neat, with a premium mixer or as a cocktail.

Why not put the guys to the test and let them choose the tipple for you!

Photos sourced from Solid Liquids

With over 30 different exhibitors it was really hard to pick a top ten, and I am very much looking forward to visiting every single one of them! For the full list of exhibitors and for tickets to the event follow the North Hop website link: http://northhop.co.uk/festivals/edinburgh

I would also advise checking out Tipple Box, a trendy company which allows you to create bespoke cocktails right in the comfort of your own home with some of the countries leading artisan brands. There will also be a photo cube with props to get your #northhopselfie on and guest artists working throughout the festival. Stewart Brewing has created a unique festival brew and Electric Spirit Co will be creating a festival gin so make sure you get your hands on that too!

  For Now...

Just Julia

Banchory Beer Festival: Beer @ the Barn

After working alongside a craft beer festival last year you'd think my tatsebuds would have succumbed to enjoying a beer on the odd occasion. Unfortunately not. So when I was invited along to review the Winter Banchory Beer Festival at Woodend Barn in Banchory of all places (how would you have guessed!?) to enjoy some beery banter, I decided it would only be fair to drag my beer-loving boyfriend along to ensure I could give a honest, well-rounded view on the festival's offering.

Running over Friday and Saturday (12-13 Feb), we decided to attend the Saturday evening session which kicked off around 6.30pm, although, we didn't arrive until nearer 8pm. Met by two friendly door staff who quickly explained the token system and handed over our festival programme, we immediately set off on a hunt to purchase our tokens and get stuck into the shenanigans. Already pretty busy - with no seats available - we were off to a good start attendance wise. Now, to find the bar...

Of course my first tipple was going to be gin, and who other than local gin distillery, Porter's Gin. Accompanied with an artisan lemonade, the drinks offering was something I was very much looking forward to indulging in heavily. My date for the night opted for Cromarty Brewing Co's Brewed Awakening 4.7% ABV coffee stout, a very positive start from the drinks game.

Local band, The Funcy Pieces, played some pretty soulful and chilled out music, consisting of a number of different covers which the crowds seemed to enjoy.

On to the next brew...Isle of Harris gin accompanied by Walter Gregor Tonic (Scotland's first ever tonic) with pieces of grapefruit to garnish. Sweet yet crisp, this delicious gin was a major highlight of my evening, and a gin I will most definitely be purchasing in the very near future.

A major foodie, I was expecting a little more variety for the food offering. Although I love a curry, well I'm a korma gal actually, I've started to become accustomed to adding hot sauce to my homemade dishes. However, when drinking gin, cider and rum, I'm unsure if it was just me, but curry was not on my mind...

A few hours later, with rumbling bellies, we decided to take the plunge and ordered some chicken pakora as it was as close to something stodgy, (which I was craving badly) that I was going to get. The pakora was nice, and the mint and lime dip, as well the hot sauces on the side were also pretty tasty, however, sadly the same couldn't be said for the naan. Stale and a little too dry for my liking, we decided to leave the naan to drown in its saucy sorrows. Sorry naan!

Back to the important stuff, the drinks. I've been a big fan of the lads at Dark Matter and everything they've achieved over the past year. Scotland's only rum distillery, the spicy liquid gold Dark Matter produces consists of a little bit of spice and all things nice. This stuff is definitely worth a try if you haven't got your lips around it yet. My date decided to opt for a number of different stouts and beers consisting of Six Degrees North's Honey Bee Good 6% ABV belgian style brew, Alchemy's 4% ABV IPA, Citra Burst, Cromarty Brewing Co's  4% ABV blonde, Happy Chappy, and many other delicious tipples.

Oh, and we can't forget Farmer Jim's Rootin Tootin 4% ABV raspberry and ginger cider. Beer fanatic I am not, however, this flavoured cider was right up my street. A grand winter warmer, and the perfect fit for the beer festival. I also rated their cute branding with Farmer Jim and his pig, adorable.

Spotted: We even made a guest appearance in the festival programme from the Inverurie Beer Festival, which we attended back in September last year!

The set up in the main room, where the live acts were performing, was decorated well with hay bales and fairy lights adding to the festival's ambiance. All of the bars were well staffed and we didn't have to wait long for a drink, which I think a lot of individuals appreciated greatly. The only thing I would say is that the second room, which is usually used as an art gallery throughout the day, was a little too clinical for me, making me feel like I was in some sort of wacky hospital room with hay bales as beds, and a gin and beer bar to keep you sane. To be honest, that doesn't sound so bad...However, with regards to the second room I think it may have been difficult for the guys to do much more with it due to its original purpose at the venue, who knows, just some food for thought I guess...

Taking refuge from the busy dance floor in the main room, we sat in the moment jiving away to the final act of the evening, The Mad Ferret Band, before our taxi whisked us away from the Beer @ the Barn madness. And what beery Banchory madness it was.

All in all the festival was a great success and I've heard many a good review from others who attended. I've also heard the Summer festival is AWESOME and a must attend.

Big thanks to the festival organisers, Mungo and Guy Finlayson for their hospitality at the festival and for inviting me along. A grand festival showcasing some great Scottish and international produce.  Looking forward to the summer festival and some serious out-doors fun. Keep an eye on the festival website for updates on future events.

  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