Inaugural international craft festival coming to Leith
WHAT’S claimed to be Scotland’s first global craft beer festival is coming to Edinburgh this year.
Taking place over the May bank holiday weekend (Friday May 26 to Sunday May 28) at The Biscuit Factory in Leith, the Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival will see more than 30 internationally renowned brewers flying in from around the world to showcase their craft beers and lagers to an expected audience of 3000.
Amongst them are Lervig, Firestone Walker, Dugges, Beerlbiotek, Pohjala and Yeastie Boys; organisers say it will be the first time many of the brewers have appeared in Scotland.
Closer to home, a selection of craft breweries from both Scotland and England will complete the line up.
From Scotland, Tempest, Brewdog, Pilot, and Fallen will be in attendance.
And from England, Beavertown, Kernel, Thornbridge, Magic Rock, and Northern Monk will be present to showcase their ranges.
Up to 200 beers will be available for festival-goers to sample across the weekend, including new-to-market brews, ‘cult classics’, and festival specials.
To complement the beer and lager, a Scottish street food offer curated by Edinburgh night market The Pitt will be available, alongside several DJ sets.
What we’re seeking to do is bring together the best of beer, full stop.
Tickets are priced at £38.50 and include entry to the festival, souvenir glass and unlimited 100ml tasters of beer.
Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival organiser Greg Wells said the team is “beyond excited to be counting down to the first Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival”.
Commenting on the difference this festival offers – namely the gathering of international brewers as well as those closer to home – Wells reckons this is a festival craft beer aficionados should ensure they don’t miss.
“Up until now, craft beer festivals in Scotland have focused on local or up and coming talent,” said Wells.
“What we’re seeking to do at Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival is bring together the best of beer, full stop.
“Our hand-picked line up will see superstar craft brewers from Sweden, New Zealand, America, Norway and even England pour their beers in Scotland for the very first time.”
Meanwhile, beer fans converged on Aviemore last month for food and drink festival North Hop.
Now in its fourth year, the festival, which took place at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, featured an ‘on the road’ theme, with a variety of exhibitors pitching up in various four-wheeled stands.
Amongst the producers in attendance, Scottish brewer Two Thirsty Men was on hand in its vintage Land Rover bar, from which it served its craft beers, No.74 and Spey IPA.
