Emma 
Southside beer festival brewery list
Organisers of the 2016 Giffnock Beer Festival said they have a world class line-up of food and drink, with the likes of WEST Beer, Glasgow Distillery Company, Clockwork Brewing and Toni’s Pizzeria all taking part.
The inaugural Giffnock Beer Festival was a major success last year, with more than 1500 people attending the bash, and organisers said they expected this year’s beer festival to be bigger, better and busier than before.
The festival, which takes place on Saturday August 27, is being held on the grounds of rugby club Glasgow Hutchesons’ Aloysians RFC, and is being organised in partnership with champions of Scottish brewing, the Craft Beer Clan of Scotland who helped bring the prize-winning team of breweries together.
The full line-up includes Glasgow’s WEST Beer, Drygate and Jaw Brew, with local micro-brewery Clockwork.
Edinburgh Beer Factory will represent the east coast, while Tempest Brewing Co, who earlier this year won Brewery of the Year at the British Institute of Innkeeping Awards for Scotland, will be venturing north from the Borders. Loch Lomond Brewery, currently holder of SIBA’s Champion Beer of Britain, also makes the GBF squad, joining Ethical Ales, Strathaven Ales and Shetland’s Lerwick Brewery.
Bijou Wine Company, Thistly Cross Cider, and the Glasgow Distillery Company, who will be unleashing their international star gin, Makar.
Providing food throughout the day, as well as a selection of half-time snacks, are local street-food innovators FireDog and local favourite Toni’s Pizzeria.
Although the Giffnock Beer Festival boasts some of Scotland’s best craft breweries and distilleries, organisers stressed that the event would be family-friendly, with fairground rides and other activities taking place.
Claire Marchelletta, Business Manager of GHA, said: “We’re focused on the Giffnock Beer Festival being a fun, family friendly beer festival, with something for everyone.
“The brewers are bringing some cracking beers, but we’ll also have fairground rides, live music, some rugby, face painting, balloon artists and glitter tattooists. And of course there will be cider, wine, gin and other drinks for those who don’t like beer!”
Ms Marchelletta confirmed that children would be able to get into the event for free, and that a selection of fairground rides for daredevil children meant would leave parents free to take part in the day’s more grown-up activities.
Ms Marchelletta said: “Last year was the launch of the Giffnock Beer Festival and it was great to see so many people enjoying the rugby and some cracking beers. This year, with the Craft Beer Clan of Scotland lending their support, we’re predicting another home victory for GHA.”
Ms Marchelletta said the event was established to raise funds for GHA and proceeds would be used to support the club which plays a vital part in the community through various clubs, school programmes, youth matches and junior leagues.
Chris Miller, Director of the Craft Beer Clan of Scotland, said: “The Craft Beer Clan came together in the spirit of collaboration and community, so it’s hugely rewarding for us to be able to support the GHA through playing a part in the Giffnock Beer Festival.
“We want to see beer and rugby fans coming down here on the day and showing their support for this great team, for what it does in the community, and for these great breweries who are frankly world class and in a league of their own.”
Tickets are available from https://billetto.co.uk/giffnock-beer-festival-2016 priced £8/£5
