Midsummer Beer Happening: Pictures from first day of festival

Packed crowds gathered in Stonehaven for the opening of the annual Midsummer Beer Happening last night.

The festival combines craft brewing, street food, and music for a truly unique experience.

Held at Baird Park, the festival kicked off on Thursday for three days drawing crowds from across the north-east, Scotland, and even further afield.

Organiser Robert Lindsay says he wanted to make this year’s event an unforgettable experience for all.

With more than 150 beers from across the UK and Europe, there was something for everyone, as festival goers relaxed with a beer basking in the warm summer sun.

Festival goers having drinks. — Many festival goers shared a drink with friends and family at the event. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Award-winning local food vendors were also on hand for something to accompany a pint.

These included The Bay on the Road, Smoke and Soul, Haydn’s and Wark Farm Pies, The Lobster Shop and E Giulianotti Ice Cream.

To top it off, north-east musicians serenaded crowds with a rich mix of music from rock to jazz, and soul to folk.

Pictures from the first day of the Midsummer Beer Happening festival in Stonehaven

Festival goers enjoy a taster with friends. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Bartender pouring a beer on the first day of the Midsummer Beer Happening. — Bartenders were kept busy with large crowds on the first day of the Midsummer Beer Happening. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Another bartender pouring a beer. — People had a wide variety of beers to choose from. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Friends chat over a tasty refreshing beer. — Friends chatted over a tasty refreshing beer. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Reveller chats with bartender. — Crowds could escape the sun under the large marquee. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Live music performance on the Midsummer Beer Happening's first day. — Festival goers could enjoy live music with their beer at the event. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

A family with their dog at the Midsummer Beer Happening. — The whole family turned out for the Midsummer Beer Happening in Stonehaven. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Crowds under the marquee. — Under the marquee, crowds could gather and sample 150 different beers. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Three friends pose with beer in hand. — From L-R: Chloe Dawson, Kirsty Lockhart, Georgia Lanning at the Midsummer Beer Happening. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Crowds at Midsummer Beer Happening. — The marquee was buzzing with activity, with beer flowing and music playing. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Festival goers choosing which beer to try. — Some people may have struggled to choose which beer to try with varieties from the UK and Europe available. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Revellers enjoying beers in the sun at Baird Park. — Festival goers basked in the evening sunshine as they enjoyed a cold beer at Baird Park. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Festival goers chatting. — The Midsummer Beer Happening kicked off on Thursday. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Bartender pours a beer. — The beer taps were flowing all evening on Thursday on the first day of the festival. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

The live band in action. — Live music from north-east musicians accompanied the beer and food. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Two cold beers in the sun. — There was a beer to suit everyone’s taste at the Stonehaven festival. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Crowds enjoy the warm summer weather outside the marquee at Baird Park. — Crowds enjoyed the warm summer weather outside the marquee at Baird Park. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

GALLERY: Packed crowds in Stonehaven for first night of Midsummer Beer Happening

Pictures from the first day of the Midsummer Beer Happening festival in Stonehaven

Conversation

Breaking