Craft Beer, Music and Food Festival

Craft beer has revolutionised the drinking scene over the last few years, and now it looks set to drag the beer festival into the modern world.

Craft Beer Discovery already looks like it could become a kind of Glastonbury for hop enthusiasts, combining an appreciation of the latest craft brews with a spot of rock and roll and live entertainment.

We knew you’d want to be there, so today’s Big Deal raises a glass and offers admission to the festival, in the scenic, OK handily-located, setting of the Falkirk Stadium.

Hopped up

The brainchild of Harbro Events, the team behind Falkirk Whisky Festival and Falkirk Gin Festival, Craft Beer Discovery provides a lively alternative to standard beer festivals, offering the chance to sample the latest craft beers and enjoy plenty of live music and entertainment.

There are three sessions available:

Option one is for admission for one to the Craft Beer Discovery evening session on Friday 30th June from 6pm to 11pm.

Option two is for admission for one to the daytime session on Saturday 1st July, from noon to 5pm.

Option three is for admission for one to the evening session on Saturday 1st July from 6pm to 11pm.

Entry to each of the sessions includes a branded Craft Beer Discovery Falkirk pint glass to take home.

Festival fun

Over a dozen independent and artisan brewers will exhibit their products at the Falkirk Stadium, with the chance to sample over 50 brews. Half pints and pints will be available for purchase at the stalls.

Artisan ciders, gins and wine will also be available.

Breweries participating include Fallen Brewing, Fyne Ales, Harvistoun Brewery, Kelburn Brewery, Knops Brewery, Kraft Brew, Six Degrees North, Spey Valley Brewing, St Andrews Brewery, Thistly Cross Cider, Top Out Brewery, Tryst Brewery and Up Front Brewing.

Scottish musicians and bands will keep the atmosphere upbeat, while street food stalls will include tacos, burgers and pulled pork. Everything is under cover so the fickle Scottish weather won’t dampen the mood.

Live music and entertainment for each evening includes the following:

Friday – Miracle Glass company, Ghost Writer, Nickajack Men, Sarah Em, DJ Craig Burke

Saturday – Anton and the Colts, Robbie Lesiuk, Yesteryears, David Bateman, DJ Billy Kay

Sunday – Fly Jackman, Media Whores, The Gregory James Band, Billy Mitchell, DJ Trevor Bond

Organiser Andy Ure said: “This is our biggest and most ambitious event to date, combining craft beer with food and live music. Craft beer is enjoying a boom just now as people are more passionate than ever about choosing to drink quality over quantity. With more exhibitors still to be confirmed, we are very excited about some of the great breweries and products already coming along.”

Date for the diary

If beer festivals still summon up the image of portly, bearded fellows talking about hop varieties and ABVs, it’s time for a wake-up call.

Craft Beer Discovery could become an annual date for the diary and today’s Big Deal offers the chance to get in at the start of something special.