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

Dry January Mocktails with Fentimans Ltd

It's not very often I receive a telegram. To be frank, I think this was the first postal telegram I'd ever received, but unlike most telegrams you may have received back in the day, this one came wrapped up in a picnic basket full of Fentimans Ltd goodies.

Established in 1905, Fentimans has been around for over a century, and has continually been committed to the time honoured process of botanical brewing, ensuring they create the most incredible flavours for their soft drinks. Its ginger beer is the root of the business, the first product Fentimans created, and since then the company has embarked on a drinks journey, discovering different ways to brew its well-known flavours.

The business is a family business, which over the generations, has created 10 different flavoured soft drinks, seven of which I received to try out. With no artificial flavours, sweeteners, colours or preservatives, these soft drinks wee the perfect care package to entice my tastebuds whilst on a new fitness and healthy eating programme.

As well as the numerous soft drinks Fentimans has to offer, it also boasts numerous mixers, pre-mixed gin-based alcoholic drinks, and its own gluten free craft beer. With Dry January in full swing for some individuals, and my lack of gin consumed throughout the month, I decided to put the soft drinks to the test and create some fun mocktails. You can check out some mocktail inspiration from Fentimans below, as well as some drinks I created myself!

Mocktail recipes:

Raspberry Rose Lemonade
125ml Rose Lemondade
100ml Raspberry juice
Sprig of rosemary
Handful of berries for garnish - I chose cherries but raspberries, strawberries or blueberries would also be delicious!

Mulled Ginger Beer and Strawberry
275ml Fentimans Ginger Beer
Handful of freshly muddled strawberries
Sprig of fresh mint
Cinnamon sugar to line the glass (optional)

Lemonade Pineapple Cooler
Pineapple juice
Lemonade
Spring of rosemary and a juicy slice of refreshing watermelon

Cherry Coketail
275ml of  Cherry Coke
5ml Vanilla essence
Squeeze of fresh lime juice
Garnish with cherries and lime wedge

I was pleasantly surprised at how refreshing the drinks were, especially the victorian lemonade, wild English elderflower and the rose lemonade. My boyfriend managed to nab himself the cherry cola mocktail which he inhaled, and he also scoffed the ginger beer mocktail down in a oner too. I really enjoyed the curiosity cola too - it was very sweet and tasted completely different to the intensely sugary coca cola society is used to. The taste lingered on my tongue for ages after which I loved, and due to the smaller size of the bottles, it meant I was getting a taster of fizzy drinks during my healthy eating programme without over indulging.

The bottles themselves are very sturdy, and are perfect if you're looking for a quirky twist to make your own mocktails in for friends coming over. Whether you're mixing mocktails or creating cocktails, Fentimans is an excellent addition to any tipple. Enjoy, and remember to drink responsibly.

 I'd also love to hear what you guys mix your Fentimans with...I know a lot of people had mentioned they love adding gin to theirs, but is there anything else you like mixing it with? And if gin is your tipple, what's your favourite gin to mix them with!? 

  For Now...

Just Julia