The festival at Dess went well on Friday, and, as Richard has already said, it was much better attended than last year. When the bus arrived at the Douglas Arms, it had maybe about 25 on it, but about 15 or so Banchorians soon filled it up. On the way back, it was standing room only - there must have been over 60 on the 48 seater ("none standing") coach.
Like the main CAMRA one, these beer festivals just keep getting more and more popular each year - there seems to a huge demand for them. The Deeside one is obviously a bit more intimate than Pittodrie - and the setting is better - and there is ample room for more festival attendees next year, although transport may become an issue. For those that couldn't make it along this year, here's the 18 ales that were available from the 3 (relatively) local breweries:
Here's a few of the Deesiders enjoying themselves:
and some of the Aberdeen CAMRA members, including the Festival Guru himself, offering some words of advice to Rob:
Elsewhere, back in Banchory, the golf club has Young's on just now and the Douglas Arms has the usual Deuchar's and a superb Lia Fail, tasting better than I can remember it. I had been drawn in there, partly due to the sign that indicated that Pivo Estivo was being served, but it ran out just before I could try it.
One other observation I made on my drive back from Buckie this afternoon was at the Forbes Arms, Bridge of Alford. I had heard that it was due to re-open soon so I stopped to take a look at the sign in the window:
Glancing inside, I noticed a number of cardboard boxes in the lounge, so it looks like there is still work to be done before the Open Day on Saturday.
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