An Aberdeenshire drinks festival has been named of the best events in the region – only days after their second ever year proved a huge hit.
The Banchory Beer Festival has been shortlisted in the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism awards in the best cultural event or festival category.
It comes just days after more than 3,000 people attended the knees-up at the Deeside Rugby Pitches venue in Hill of Banchory.
A huge selection of beers, ales, ciders, rum and gin was put on offer alongside local food, and was accompanied by live music from a host of Scots bands.
Yesterday Mungo Finlayson, who organised the festival with his brother, Guy, said he was blown away by the success of the event.
The 25-year-old added: “The distance some people travelled got me, I spoke to some guy who got the bus down from Peterhead to come. People certainly know about it.
“Obviously there is a huge demand for something like this in this area. We had just over 3,000 people.
“General feedback I am getting is that it was a massive improvement on last year, with good music and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.”
He added that “the most popular drink by far” was Banchory’s very own Dark Matter rum, which is distilled just five minutes from where the event took place.
Mr Finlayson’s team ran out of the beverage and have had to order another batch so that they have a plentiful supply of the rum at their next event – the first ever Inverurie Beer Festival, which takes place on September 25.
The awards ceremony will be held at Ardoe House Hotel and Spa on Friday November 27.
