WHAT: Tickets for Midsummer Beer Happening in Stonehaven go on sale on Monday March 21 as event returns after two-year absence.
WHEN: The Happening is a celebration of the craft of brewing, along with great street food and top musical entertainment held from Thursday, June 16, to Saturday, June 20
WHERE: The Happening will be held in a purpose-built marquee in Stonehaven’s Baird Park.
WHO: The Midsummer Beer Happening in Stonehaven is a not-for-profit event organised by local beer fans.
The hugely successful Midsummer Beer Happening in Stonehaven is gearing up for a great return this June – with tickets to the three-day celebration of beer, food, music and cycling going on sale from Monday March 21.
“It’s all hands to the pump on Monday as we expect to see a clamour for tickets,” said Happening organiser Robert Lindsay.
“People have been telling us how much they have missed the Happening and we can’t wait to welcome them back to Stonehaven back from Thursday June 16 to Saturday June 18.”
Covid meant the festival – one of the most popular in the north-east’s events calendar, which attracted 6,000 people to its 10th anniversary gathering in 2019 – was postponed for the past two years.
“Now we are ready and raring to go and make sure we come back with one of the most memorable Happenings we have staged yet,” said Robert, who heads up the event which is run entirely by volunteers and is not-for-profit.
“We will have more than 120 brilliant beers from the finest brewers across the UK and Europe, along with award-winning street food vendors in our al fresco food court and brilliant tunes from the cream of north-east musicians.”
Robert said the imposed two year gap gave organisers a chance to refine and improve the Happening to make sure everyone has the best time possible.
“The first thing people will notice is that the Happening will be taking advantage of the latest technology to become a digital, cashless event, a trend we have seen across society over the past two years.
“From being beeped in with a digital ticket, which then becomes a contactless wallet for buying beer and food, it will be a seamless and easy experience for everyone coming to our purpose built marquee in Baird Park.”
Another tweak is in the Happening’s cycling sportive – an event that attracts riders from across the UK to tackle challenging routes across the Mearns, ranging from 55 miles to 100 miles with the fiendishly tough climb of the Cairn o’Mount thrown in, known as the Undo, Redo and Dinaedo.
Robert said: “New for 2022 will be our first gravel route – the Grdo – a tough ride across 40 miles with an ascent of 4,116 ft. Gravel riding is booming and we know riders will want to take on this mostly-off road route before grabbing a well-earned beer or two.”
One of the mainstays of the Happening is the force for good it has become in Stonehaven. As a not-for-profit event it has fundraised tirelessly for local charities since it began. At its last outing, the 10th anniversary in 2019, the Happening smashed through the £170,000 barrier for funds raised for good causes.
“We know people enjoy having a good time while doing good and are delighted to be back in the game and supporting local charities again. We will be announcing who they are soon,” said Robert, who is the founder of Six Degrees North.
Despite the enforced absence, Robert and the organisers are confident people will want to flock to the Happening again.
“It’s been a rough two years for everyone and we know we are still living in uncertain times. But some things are constant – the need to meet friends, make new ones, have fun, enjoy great music, taste fine food and try some of the best beers in the world.
“The Happening takes pride in an atmosphere that can only be described as a joyous celebration of the things we love and the people we love to share them with. If ever there was a time for the Happening to happen, it is now.”
“We can’t wait to see everyone back in the marquee in June… so grab your tickets now and we’ll see you for a beer or two.”
For more information and tickets go to midsummerbeerhappening.co.uk
Press release from Midsummer Beer Happening
CONTACT: Organiser Robert Lindsay on 07840 678243 or at brewbob@sixdnorth.co.uk