The Bridge Inn in Peebles has been named the winner of CAMRA’s Scotland & Northern Ireland Pub of the Year competition for 2017. Judged by CAMRA members, this competition recognises the exceptional standard of pubs selling real ale across Scotland & Northern Ireland. Continue reading Bridge Inn is CAMRA’s Scottish Pub of the Year
Tag: food and drink
Oktobeerfest: Bringing a taste of Bavaria to Edinburgh
Stewart Brewing has announced several limited-edition German-inspired beers that have been created especially for its first ever ‘Oktobeerfest’ event on 15th and 16th September.
Limited-edition beers already announced include:
- Weizenbock – Hefty wheat beer with aromas of banoffee pie. Lots of banana and light spice from the wheat beer yeast on the taste and a bready sweet finish.
- Raspberry Wheat Beer – Classic Hefeweizen with fruit. A pink-tinged wheat beer with lots of red fruit flavour.
- Rauchbier – Smoky as a night by a roaring fire. Brewed with 50% German beech-smoked malt, lots of smoke flavours balanced by malt sweetness and a mild hop bitterness.
- Altbier – Traditional Dusseldorf style ale brewed with lots of dark malts. Toffee and caramel with a sweet finish.
- Classic Hefeweizen – Pale and cloudy effervescent wheat beer with banana and spice notes.
- Fruited Berlinerweisse – A 3.0% sour base with passionfruit, mango and raspberry added for a fruity thirst-quenching beer with a light sour kick.
In addition to beer, Oktobeerfest will feature a selection of street food vendors such as Well Hung & Tender and Fresh Revolution. There will also be an eclectic mix of music from the likes of The Citizens, The Banjo Lounge 4 and Stadtkapelle Lochgelly oompah band who are sure to keep guests entertained with their German-style takes on classic hits.
Oktobeerfest will take place over two days with an adults-only event on Friday 15th September from 6pm – 10pm and a family friendly event on Saturday 16th September from 12pm – 8pm.
Jo Stewart, Stewart Brewing co-founder, said: “While we’re known for making old favourites such as Edinburgh Gold and Radical Road, we wanted to mark our first ever Oktobeerfest by creating a variety of Bavarian-inspired beers with a twist. From a Classic Hefeweizen to a smoky Rauchbier, there is something to suit every beer lover’s palate.
“The full selection of these special-edition beers will only be available to try at Oktobeerfest on 15th and 16th September. Tickets are selling fast – book yours now so you don’t miss out!”
Tickets cost £16 per person which includes entry, a souvenir Oktobeerfest glass and can of beer on arrival. Children accompanied by adults can attend free of charge.
Tickets for both the Friday and Saturday events are on sale now from the Stewart Brewing website which recently relaunched with a brand new design: https://www.stewartbrewing.co.uk/browse/c-Tickets-12
Stewart Brewing Oktobeerfest takes place at Stewart Brewing, Bilston Glen Industrial Estate, 26a Dryden Rd, Loanhead and is easily reached from Edinburgh city centre by bus, routes 37 and 47.
For more announcements leading up to the festival, follow Stewart Brewing on social media: www.facebook.com/stewartbrewingedin
Twitter @StewartBrewing
David Attenborough named as Scots’ ultimate dinner party guest
A survey by Just Eat, commissioned to mark the launch of voting for the British Takeaway Awards, has revealed Sir David Attenborough as the guest Scots would most like to share their last slice of pizza with. Continue reading David Attenborough named as Scots’ ultimate dinner party guest
Celebrate quality food during Red Tractor week
Red Tractor Week 2017 (11th – 17th September) will celebrate great food, great farming and quality food you can trust. Supported by BBC Countryfile presenter and Red Tractor farmer Adam Henson, the week will encourage people to cook their own recipes using Red Tractor products and post them online using #Trustthetractor.
Red Tractor is creating an online recipe book of real people’s favourite Red Tractor meals. Each day will focus on a different key British ingredient and will be supported by a daily competition, and real life stories and videos from the Red Tractor farmers who bring us our food.
People can take part via social media (on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #Trustthetractor) and on the Red Tractor website (www.redtractor.org.uk);
- Monday 11th – Poultry (chicken, duck, turkey)
- Tuesday 12th – Dairy (milk, cheese, butter)
- Wednesday 13th – Pork
- Thursday 14th – Fruit
- Friday 15th – Beef & Lamb
- Saturday 16th – Vegetables (including sugar and potatoes)
- Sunday 17th – Crops (incl. wheat, barley and oats)
Red Tractor Farmer and BBC Countryfile presenter, Adam Henson said; “What a fabulous week to get out cooking and supporting our wonderful British Red Tractor farmers. As a Red Tractor farmer myself this is one of my favourite times of year, when the harvest is safely gathered and we can really enjoy the fruits of our labour with so much great food in season.
“This year has been a patchy harvest with mixed quality in wheat and barley, however overall it has been a positive result. With quality being key, it is more important than ever that the crop is looked after, which is why good standards are important.”
Every stage of the journey your Red Tractor food makes is checked. Rigorous independent systems ensure that food holding the Red Tractor logo can be traced right back to original British farms.
The week will draw people’s attention to the great standards that go into food and drink with the Red Tractor label. Red Tractor ensures people can trust the food they eat. It is the largest food standards scheme in the UK, covering; animal welfare, food safety, traceability and environmental protection.
Charity fundraising event at Festival Village
Residents and business-people from across Edinburgh and beyond are invited to come together for a special evening of food, drink and live music to raise money and awareness for local charities Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, Kindred, and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). Pop-up venue Festival Village: Waverley, located on the roof of Waverley Mall, is hosting the charity event supported by AIB (GB) on Tuesday 5thSeptember from 5pm. Continue reading Charity fundraising event at Festival Village
From Bollywood … to Blackhall!
MBE’s foodie Fringe show hits staid old Blackhall!
Tommy Miah’s Indian Street Food Festival got off to glittering start at Blackhall’s Raj Restaurant on Friday last week with Bollywood star Sejal Sharma wowing audiences with her captivating traditional moves. Continue reading From Bollywood … to Blackhall!
Stewart Brewing to host September ‘Oktobeerfest’!
Leading local craft brewer, Stewart Brewing, has announced its first ever ‘Oktobeerfest’ event coming this September. Continue reading Stewart Brewing to host September ‘Oktobeerfest’!
Make music with cucumbers!
HENDRICK’S GIN INVITES YOU TO MAKE HARMONIOUS MUSIC WITH CUCUMBERS
Hendrick’s Perilous Laboratory for the Absorbment of Natural Teachings (P.L.A.N.T) is conducting a genuine and most unusual scientific experiment during the Edinburgh Festival at the Assembly George Square Gardens, Edinburgh, 3rd – 13th August. Continue reading Make music with cucumbers!
BEER FESTIVAL RETURNS – LAGER THAN EVER BEFORE!
Leading Scottish craft brewer, Stewart Brewing, has announced the return of its annual Edinburgh Beer Festival on Saturday 13th May. Continue reading BEER FESTIVAL RETURNS – LAGER THAN EVER BEFORE!
Say aye tae a pie!
Discover ultimate pie perfection this British Pie Week!
NOTHING quite says British like tucking into the much-loved classic – the pie. With new research revealing that 75% of people enjoy a pie at least once a month, it’s no surprise that British Pie Week (6-12 March), has been growing every year with pie-eaters seeking their ultimate pie-perfection.
To join in the festivities, Scottish pâté producer Castle MacLellan has created two classics to try, each with a signature twist. Simple and delicious, these tasty ideas are perfect for impressing guests at a dinner party or enjoying along with a glass of wine in hand.
Scottish pâté specialist Castle MacLellan has been producing meat, fish and vegetarian pâtés from its base in Kirkcudbright for more than 30 years so their delicious pâté flavours have been honed to perfection and are guaranteed to perk up any pie this March.
As if the luxurious flavor wasn’t persuasion enough, did you know Castle MacLellan is owned by the Kavli Trust? This means that their profits go to charity so every time you buy their pâté you’ll know you’re supporting good causes in the UK and abroad. (They taste even better once you’re aware of that!)
Ham & Duck Pie
Caramelised onion chutney or cider and apple compliments this recipe effortlessly. For a more delicate flavour, try ham hock and our Chicken Liver Pâté with a beetroot or caramelised onion chutney. A perfect combination.
Ingredients
- 1 Tub of Castle MacLellan Duck Pâté
- 500g Packet of Short Crust Pastry
- 200g Packet of Ham Hock
- Chutney
Method
Ø Preheat the oven to 200c. Roll out your short crust pastry so it is thinner than a pound coin. Cut out 8x9cm circles of pastry for the base of your pies. Then cut out 8x7cm discs for the tops. You may need to re-roll the pastry to do this.
Ø Brush the tin moulds with a little oil before pushing the base circle into the muffin tray.
Ø Put a table spoon of the ham hock into the base of each pie, you want it to be about ½ full.
Ø On top of the ham hock add a layer of Castle MacLellan Duck Pâté, use about 1 tbsp on each pie. Then spoon the same amount of chutney onto the top. Ideal chutney to use in this pie would be an apple based one. We used apple and cider.
Ø Brush the outer edge with milk/egg and add a pastry lid. Pinch the sides to seal and make a small hole in the top. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Mini Chicken Pies
These tasty mini chicken pies are best complimented with Caramelised onion or Beetroot chutney.
Ingredients
- 500g Packet Short Crust Pastry
- 200g Packet of ham hock
- 1 Tub Castle MacLellan Chicken Pate with Scottish Heather Honey
- Chutney- Caramelised Onions or Beetroot works really well in this recipe
Method
Ø Preheat the oven to 200oC. Roll out your short crust pastry so it is thinner than a pound coin. Cut out 8x9cm circles of pastry for the base of your pies. Then cut out 8x7cm discs for the tops. You may need to re-roll the pastry to do this.
Ø Brush the tin moulds with a little oil before pushing the base circle into the muffin tray.
Ø Put a table spoon of the ham hock into the base of each pie, you want it to be about ½ full.
Ø On top of the ham hock add a layer of chicken pate, use about 1 tbsp on each pie. Then spoon the same amount of chutney or beetroot onto the top. Ideal chutney to use in this pie would be a caramelised onion flavour.
Ø Brush the outer edge with milk/egg and add a pastry lid. Pinch the sides to seal and make a small hole in the top. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Throughout 2017 Castle MacLellan will be encouraging people to ‘Pâté Together’ by hosting their very own pâté party – whether its nibbles before a night out, snacks for a cosy night in front of the TV or rustling up a delicious meal for the whole family. Share your #PateParty moments on the Castle MacLellan Facebook or Instagram pages.
Other pies, pates and ingredients are, of course, available. As are purveyors of pie perfection: I’m a Mason’s of Newhaven man myself …