Fancy a drink this weekend? Here’s the latest Scottish drinks news.
Last night, the 5pm Dining blog toddled along to the launch of Heverlee beer’s micro-festival in Edinburgh’s New Waverley arches.
The Belgian beer is running a three day mini-festival/pop-up beer garden in the disused arches at New Waverly.
We wrote about it earlier. All we will add is that alongside the Heverlee Pilsner, there are two special one-off brews for the festival: a Blonde and an IPA, both at 6% ABV.
They are both rather more-ish.
Street food market, The Pitt, are dishing up Belgian specialities such as moules-frites, steak-frites and carbonade flamande, a traditional Belgian beef stew, made with… well, you can probably guess the beer.
West End Beer Festival
On the other side of the M8, the third West End Beer Festival gets underway today.
Taking place at Café Source Too in Hillhead Sports Club, the West End Beer Festival is running today and tomorrow.
Many of Scotland’s top craft brewers will be pouring at the festival. Alechemy, Fallen, Fyne Ales, Tryst, Jaw Brew and WEST have all confirmed that they will be in action.
Online tickets are £9 which includes entry and a commemorative festival glass.
Naturally, live music and lots of food will play a large part in the day.
If you prefer something a little stronger…
National Whisky Festival
The National Whisky Festival is at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh tomorrow.
After a hugely successful debut at Celtic Connections, the National Whisky Festival is heading east for a summer festival.
More than 50 exhibitors will be presenting the best of the national drink and drams from around the world.
These range from India’s Amrut to Islay’s Port Askaig and most spots in between. From Angel’s Share Glassware to Michter’s bourbon and independent bottlers such as Douglas Laing, the whisky world will be there.
As well as the opportunity to sample some spectacular whisky, there will be a full programme of informative, entertaining talks on whisky history, production and culture.
Scottish drinks news: Leith Gin
Of course, we couldn’t really post a Scottish drinks round-up without mentioning gin.
Last night, Gleann Mόr Spirits launched the first of their geographical gin range – Leith Gin.
Derek Mair, Founder of Gleann Mόr Spirits said ‘Leith Gin was created by two locals who wanted to produce a gin that is full of flavour but at the same time, subtle on the palate. When we moved to our warehouse in Leith almost two years ago, this felt like a natural opportunity to create something special… It is distilled using 100% grain spirit and delicious with tonic or in our signature cocktail Sunshine in Leith which is made with Leith Gin, Orange Juice, Angostura bitters and Lemonade.’
According to the tasting notes, Leith Gin is delicate on the nose with light, fresh notes of citrus with coriander followed by sweet juniper. The palate is fresh and mellow.
Bottoms up!
