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

A blossoming delivery: Blossoming Gifts (review)

With the weather in Scotland being rather disappointing regarding the season other countries across the world would declare as 'summer', a bright, vibrant gift in the shape of a beautiful bunch of flowers can never go a miss.

Blossoming Gifts, a new online florist which delivers bouquets seven days a week across the UK, contacted me a few weeks ago to test out their service, and of course, there was no chance I could refuse gorgeous, fresh flowers. Looking outside at the monsoon that had hit Aberdeen, I was excited about receiving a little splash of summer the following week. As informed, my bouquet arrived first thing on Wednesday and boy was I in for a treat.

On arrival, the box was in great condition. Although I had been a little skeptical as to how well the flowers would travel, I was glad to see how well the box had travelled and was excited to get stuck into my flowers. Opening the box, I was pleasantly surprised to find my bouquet of flowers completely intact, snuggly positioned in the box, ensuring the flowers heads were protected. The bouquet was attached to the box, which resulted in me needing to cut the bouquet lose, something I hadn't initially realised.

The flowers smelled gorgeous, and the stems were wrapped in a cloth soaked in water which was still damp when the box arrived. It also meant for the first time, I wasn't absolutely soaked when I tried to get them out the box. This was a huge bonus for me.

I would definitely highly recommend this service especially for sending your best friends flowers to their desks at birthdays, or to send your granny a stunning wee pick-me-up. The flowers look and smell very fresh and are in great condition. I've had my flowers for five days now and they still look very healthy. My lilies have now opened up and I've been caring to the flowers stems to prolong their freshness. All of the flowers are still looking great. My mum is very much enjoying them too as she loves lilies.

I will definitely be using this service again as it was really easy to navigate around the website, the  high quality flowers arrived promptly and intact, and over the past few days, have been blossoming beautifully. It seems the flowers are also great value for money too, and there's a huge range to choose from so there's definitely something for everyone.

The company has kindly given me a 33% off discount for all you fabulous people to indulge in too. The discount code is: BGIFTS33

I also plan on running a competition with these guys in the next few weeks so keep your eyes pealed!

You can check out my beautiful Blossoming Gifts photo diary below. featuring the Cheerful Lily and Rose bouquet. I had originally asked for the Rainbow Roses, however they were out with my allocated budget - you can't blame a girl for trying though because they are gorgeous! However, I adore the beautiful roses and lilies, the perfect bouquet to bring a little summer feeling into the house.

The company also offers a unique range of other personalised gifts which you can purchase alongside your flowers too. Happy flower arranging guys!

   For Now...

Just Julia