Good times are flowing in Stonehaven as thousands of beer lovers enjoy a festival of their favourite brews.
The three-day Midsummer Beer Happening got under way on Thursday, offering visitors the chance to sample more than 130 beers while raising cash for two local charities.
Every year festival organisers choose to split the money between local causes, and proceeds from this weekend will go towards the campaign to build a dialysis unit in Stonehaven and the local sea cadets.
Hotelier and brewery owner Robert Lindsay, who organises the event with other local beer fans, said: “On offer we will have 118 beers on draught, including a massive range of craft keg, real ale and Belgian beers.
“We’ve handpicked the finest beers we could lay our hands on from across the UK and the continent and are sure our thousands of visitors will be delighted by not just the choice and quality, but also the food and music we have on offer.”
Last year, organisers announced they were revamping the hugely popular Stonehaven Real Ale Festival – renaming it, bringing it forward to the summer and shifting to a purpose-built marquee in Baird Park – to ensure thousands of visitors could enjoy the local beers and ales on offer.
Mr Lindsay said he hoped the new venue – and warmer weather – would encourage more visitors to come along and help raise as much as possible for the two charities.
Those behind the campaign for a dialysis unit in Stonehaven are well on their way to their £750,000 target, having recently passed the £500,000 mark.
Mr Lindsay said: “We know that having a unit here in Stonehaven will make life immeasurably better for dialysis patients and their loved ones.
“We also know the sea cadets do a fantastic job with young people in Stonehaven, giving them experiences and skills that will stand them in good stead for life.
“We are delighted to help them and we know the thousands coming to the Happening will be happy to support these causes, too.”
The festival will run from noon to midnight today.