The north-east’s biggest and most popular beer festival is spreading some winter cheer by announcing the dates for its return to Stonehaven next summer.
The Midsummer Beer Happening in Stonehaven will bring its magical mix of brilliant brews, fantastic food and magnificent music to its purpose built marquee in the town’s Baird Park from June 16 to 18.
Organiser Robert Lindsay said: “As we are in the depths of winter, we thought we’d give people something to look forward to at the height of summer.
“And we’re sure the thousands who flocked to our first Happening last year will be delighted to know we’re already planning a return with the best beer – craft, Belgian and real ales – we can lay our hands on.”
“Once again we aim to have the biggest range of beers you will find at any event in Scotland next year.”
The inaugural Midsummer Beer Happening was a phenomenal success that saw 4,800 people flock to the festival marquee where they were greeted by almost 120 different beers on draught and a huge range of bottled beers, too.
A food court offered the finest local produce while a superb music programme saw visitors boogying with their brews.
Robert said: “The Happening was brought to you by the same team as behind the hugely successful Stonehaven Beer Festival which ran in the Town Hall for five years.
“We were on a steep learning curve by shifting from the cosy confines of the Town Hall to a marquee in a park. It was something of a leap of faith, but the people of Stonehaven – and much further afield – more than rewarded that faith by helping us create an event that was simply wonderful.
“The buzz in the town and the feedback we received was marvellous. We’ve learned a lot from our first outing, so next year is going to be so much better in so many ways.
“One of the most frequent comments was just how warm and welcoming the whole thing was. It’s good to be not just the biggest North-east beer festival, but known as the friendly one, too.”
The event didn’t just create a feelgood factor, it also raised £16,000 for local charities with £8,000 going to the Stonehaven Sea Cadets and £8,000 to the fundraising for a dialysis unit in Stonehaven.
Another strand of the Happening which proved popular was the cycling Sportive which saw 180 riders tackle a gruelling Reedo – a 72-mile route over the Cairn 0’ Mount and back.
Robert said: “Bikes and beer are the two fastest growing hobbies in the country, so we are delighted to bring them back together again.”
He added that an on sale date for Happening tickets will be announced next year.
“For the meantime, we just want folk to put June 16 to 18 in their diary and think about wam summer nights and cold beers as we get through the North-east winter. See you next midsummer.”