It goes without saying that the 5pm Dining blog is perfectly happy to quaff beer at any time of year. However, there is something especially magical about drinking a cool beer on a hot day.

We’re not sure about high temperatures but we are certain that there will be plenty of cool beers on offer at Summerhall’s Summer Festivale in Edinburgh.

Taking place today and tomorrow in the Southside arts venue, the Summerhall Beer Festivale is now in its third year.

Beer in the sun

Split over four sessions, the event will feature brews from Top Out Brewery and The Rum Boys. As well as their own beers, Williams Brothers will be pouring  three new collaboration beers made with the Harbour, Arbor and Beerd breweries.

Thistly Cross Cider will be present to give everything that summery cider vibe and the ever surprising Summerhall Bizarre Bottle Bar will be displaying their exotic wares.

On-site brewer Barney of Barney’s Beer will be inviting punters to come and view his brewery and Pickering’s Gin will be holding tours of their Summerhall Distillery.

The afternoon sessions, which run from 2pm today and tomorrow, will see all the action take place outside in Summerhall’s courtyard.

Each ‘brewer’ will be hosting a stand with beer, chat and info. There will also be a classics playlist pumping in the Dissection Room along with more beer and blethering. Locally sourced street food will be served under the hopefully hot, hot heat of the Edinburgh sun.

Street food

The evening sessions, running from 8pm, will spill into the Dissection Room with DJs and brewers serving until gone midnight. Beer munchies can be soothed by the application of street food served in the courtyard.

The £8 ticket price includes access to the stalls, music, brewery and distillery tours (day sessions) and DJs (evening sessions) plus four beer tokens that can be exchanged at the event bars for £4 worth of drinks.

This event is strictly over 18s.

Friday 15 & Saturday 16th May,  2pm-7pm & 8pm-1am. Summerhall, Summerhall Place, Edinburgh