Last year - in what seems like a far-off and distant country - Edinburgh’s Pitt Street Market hosted its inaugural version of the Munich beerfest.

But with this year’s German outing cancelled, the Leith-based market returns to celebrate the capital’s own city brewers with a smaller, socially distanced event over three weekends from September 18.

The Munich event features six breweries from Bavaria's capital. Pittöberfest will feature six from within Edinburgh’s city limits.

Barney’s Beer and Campervan will be there to provide their own taste of Bavaria with new beers created especially for the event.

New Barns - Scotland’s newest brewery - will make their festival debut joining Bellfield, Edinburgh Beer Factory and Pilot to bring a quality taste of home-brewed beer to locals and visitors making the most of this year’s unique staycation season.

Celebrate Edinburgh's craft brewers

Barney of Barney’s Beer (pictured) commented: 'While the cancellation of beer festivals has been a relatively minor inconvenience in comparison to the difficult times experienced by so many, it is a great feeling to be able to have this event at The Pitt.

'This year, it's going to be particularly special to celebrate and showcase beer from our fellow city brewers and ourselves with the people who enjoy and support what we do.'

The best in the Scottish street food scene including Ròst and Barnacles & Bones will be back with some German-inspired dishes to provide the perfect pairings for the pints. Think along the lines of beef goulash with sage dumplings; salt-grilled crispy quarter chicken; steckerlfisch (fish on a stick ‘n’ chips) and pastrami sliders.

Of course, you couldn't have a beerfest without currywurst: the Berliners' beloved mix of bratwurst sausage, ketchup and curry powder.

Sounds weird but, after a stein or two, many a bratwurst-denier has been converted by the spicy charms of currywurst.

Of course, there will be plenty of veggie, vegan and gluten-free options.

Supping safely

In keeping with The Pitt Street Market’s existing safety measures, advance bookings are recommended to ensure tables. The capacity has been reduced to accommodate social distancing measures and table service will mean no busy bar queues. We’ll prost to that!

The festival will take place every Friday to Sunday over three weekends: 18-20 September, 25-27 September and 2-4 October. For more details, visit The Pitt.

Dirndls and lederhosen are not compulsory.

Give Basil's a bash

And if you can't wait for the weekend, you might want to head to Basil's for a beer and a bite to eat. 

About a fifteen minute stroll from The Pitt, the Annfield Street gastro bar is today offering diners who book via 5pm a 50% discount (up to £10pp) on the a la carte menu. 

The 50% discount is available Tue/Wed and, when booking via 5pm, a 25% discount runs Thu-Sun. Details correct at 09.09.20.

Menus change but we like the sound of the confit duck leg with dauphinoise potatoes and wilted greens.

Pic credit for Barney image: Peter Dibdin