Nether Abbey Beer Festival

Just 33 minutes by train from the Waverley there will be 50 beers to try over the two and a half day event, which features live music every day, award-winning food served throughout and, best of all, free entry.

From Friday until Sunday, starting at noon each day, the festival brings together some of the best real ales from around the UK and the world, all picked by Nether Abbey Beer Festival legends Stirling and Pat.

The pair have travelled far and wide finding only the best ales to bring to North Berwick.

The 50 beers lined up for the festival include; Allendale Wolf, a full-bodied red ale with a fruity finish; Barney’s Good Ordinary Pale Ale from Edinburgh, a gold-coloured Englishstyle full-bodied bitter; Bear Claw Endeavour, a light to medium-bodied American pale ale with a slightly orangey taste; and Winding Spring, a English-style beer with a silky texture and citrus hoppiness.

Other favourites to make the grade are Belhaven 60/-, St Andrews Ale, Born in the Borders Foxy Blonde and Broughton Clipper IPA.

Also featured are Musselburgh Broke, a tasty, darkish beer with a full malt flavour and a crisp finish, Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted, a refreshingly hoppy and fruity golden session beer, and Traquair Stuart Ale, Traquair’s lighter seasonal ale, soon to give way to Bear Ale and very rarely seen in cask.

Providing the sound track to the drinking sessions will be, on Friday evening, Urban Creek with their country rock.

On Saturday evening it’s the turn of Davy Holt, the Nether Abbey’s favourite singer/guitarist to take to the mic.

Finally, on Sunday afternoon, local swing band The Mellowtones take to the stage.

There will also be open mic sessions on Friday and Saturday afternoon.

Nether Abbey Hotel Beer Festival, Dirleton Avenue, North Berwick, Friday-Sunday, from noon, free, 01620-892 802