In case it has slipped your mind, it is Mother’s Day on Sunday. Fret not if you have yet to make the appropriate preparations as we have some suggestions.

Later this week on the 5pm Dining blog, we will have an easy recipe for a Mother’s Day lunch as well as a few ideas for afternoon tea.

As for today, we’ve been thinking outside the box. Stick with us.

Now, traditionally, a beer festival may not have seemed like the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

Times have changed however. Today’s craft beer gatherings boast more of an inclusive, cultural vibe and their appeal is much wider than that provided by, say, two dozen, differently hopped IPAs.

What’s more, socks, sandals and beards are very much optional these days; even for mum.

North Hop – Scotland’s biggest celebration of craft beer culture – heads to Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms on Saturday 5th of March; the perfect excuse to forgo flowers in favour of hops.

North Hop is also running in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness later this year should you already have plans for this weekend.

Here’s five reasons why North Hop has got your Mum’s name all over it.

Candle-lit cocktail lounge

For those who enjoy spirits, fizz and wine, North Hop’s cocktail lounge is your first stop. Among Edinburgh’s exhibitors are Perthshire berry wine producers, Cairn O’Mohr, plus Bijou Wines (famed for their horsebox bar) and 10 Dollar Shake, who will be creating a range of tasty signature serves using gins, rums and vodkas.

Street food aplenty

A treat for foodie mums, North Hop boasts some of Scotland’s best street food indoors. Sample rare breed scotch eggs from Aye Love Real Food; thoughtfully sourced bites from Fresh Revolution and, of course, a burrito or two from those trendy movers ‘n’ shakers – El Cartel.

Mum’s Rum Surgery

For those in need of a little TLC, head on over and see the team at Solid Liquids who will be bringing their ‘rum surgery’ to the festival. They promise to prescribe a rum which is the perfect remedy to any ailment. Although – as any mum will tell you – the perfect remedy to any ailment has already been invented and it’s eggs in a cup. Still, we’re happy to be persuaded that rum might be more effective.

A Moscow Mule-inspired beer

Edinburgh-based Stewart Brewing have stepped up to the plate to create North Hop Edinburgh’s festival brew. Inspired by a Moscow Mule, this beer celebrates the coming together of different elements at the festival, namely craft beer and cocktails. Infused with lime and ginger, the beer will have a distinct citrusy character thanks to a blend of American hops.

An electrifying festival gin

And finally whose mum doesn’t like a good ol’ G&T? In true North Hop fashion, Edinburgh festival goers will be treated to a very limited edition gin courtesy of Leith-based distillery Electric Spirit Co. The exact recipe for the festival gin remains a surprise but distiller, James, has hinted it will be the most juniper-forward gin he’s ever made.