Moray’s first ‘Oktoberfest’ beer festival has received a thumbs-up from the public who flocked to Elgin Town Hall over the weekend.
A fantastic variety of locally produced beers from three local ‘Real Ale’ craft brewers, accompanied by an equally impressive selection of continental sausages, attracted hundreds to the first ever festival.
Organised by the Lossiemouth-based Windswept Brewery, Mulben’s Spey Valley Brewers and Keith firm Brewmeister, the Festival was set up for an expected attendance of around 1000 over two days.
In the event fresh supplies had to be shipped in from each brewer as many more flocked to the event – including Moray’s MSP, Richard Lochhead, who first suggested that the local companies should join to organise such an event.
Al Read, head of the Windswept Brewery, said: “They did their best to clear every beer we had, but that was the advantage of being so close to our breweries – we were able to keep well stocked up.
“The event exceeded what we had been hoping for with many visitors expressing the hope that this was the first of many such events.”
Richard Lochhead called in at the Festival and expressed his delight at its success.
He said: “It is great to see so many people reacting to the idea of our first Moray Oktoberfest and I have to congratulate all the firms involved in organised an excellent Festival.
“This should certainly become a fixture on the Moray events calendar and I’m sure if it returns it will grow in popularity each year. We are very fortunate to have such excellent craft beer companies in Moray that fully compliment our traditional Whisky industry.”