Stonehaven beer festival celebrates amazing success with over 6,000 people in attendance

The Midsummer Beer Festival in Stonehaven is celebrating a stunning weekend success which saw more than 6,000 visitors flock to the festival – while raising a fantastic £61,000 for local good causes.

This means that the festival has now raised an astonishing £375,000 since it began as the Stonehaven Real Ale Festival 15 years ago.

Organisers have thanked everyone who visited the much-loved three-day event – plus all the volunteers who help stage the Happening – at times braving the unusual wet and at times chilly summer weather.

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“Not even the low temperatures and at times lashing rain could dampen the spirits of folk who turned up to enjoy brilliant beer, fantastic food and marvellous music at the Happening,” said organiser Robert Lindsay.

“As well as having a good time to drive away the summertime blues, they have also done so much good by raising such a phenomenal amount that will now help more than 20 charities and good causes in Stonehaven. We cannot thank them enough.”

This terrific total of funds raised will see the town’s Carronhill School, for children with additional support needs, Edenholme Care Home, Stonehaven Sea Cadets and Stonehaven Fireballs each receive £7,000.

Robert said: “These are four very deserving causes that do such amazing things to improve lives in Stonehaven, whether it is giving young people the best education and best start in life, helping people enjoy life to the fullest in their golden year, or putting Stonehaven on the global map every Hogmanay with an iconic ceremony known around the globe.

“We are delighted to help each of them enhance the work they do in our community.”

In addition, £2,000 each will go the town’s RNLI, the Stonehaven Folk Festival, Stonehaven Scouts, Mackie Rugby youth, Stonehaven and District Lions Club, Stonehaven Men’s Shed, Oakley Play and Resource Centre, Mearns and Coastal Healthy Living Network, and Stonehaven Youth Football Club, plus mental health charity Pillar.

Receiving £1,000 each will be Stonehaven Amateur Swimming Club, Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club, Rhythm Dance Nation and Dunnottar Pipes & Drums, Forest View Centre, Alzheimer Scotland, Friends of Anchor, and Grampian MS Therapy. And £500 will go to Girl Guides Stonehaven, Stonehaven Cricket Club, the town’s gymnastics club and Paws On Plastic.

The Happening will maintain its tradition of supporting Guide Dogs with a £3,000 donation.

Robert said that this had proved to be a banner year for the Midsummer Beer Happening with a number of “firsts”.

“For the first time we screened an international football game and the first time we had a pipe band in our marquee. Dunnottar Pipes & Drums played a memorable set that had the whole tent cheering and singing, ready for the kick off for Scotland v Germany on Friday night,” he said.

“The atmosphere was electric – well it was until 10 minutes into the game. But everyone just partied on, aided and abetted by more than 150 great beers to choose from, excellent street food and some brilliant bands that lifted everyone’s spirits.”

Robert said there was another first – of a more romantic nature.

“We were delighted to have our first wedding proposal at the Midsummer Beer Happening against the backdrop of pipers playing as an Italian visitor went down on one knee. There were cheers and tears when she said yes.”

Robert said he was thrilled to have seen 6,000 guests visit the Midsummer Beer Happening over the three days from Thursday, June13, to Saturday, June 14, in addition to the 850 riders who took part in the event’s hugely-popular cycling Sportive on the Saturday.

“We never take for granted that people choose to come to the Happening and to support the event and everything around it. We can’t thank them enough.

“Neither can we thank enough the army of volunteers who roll up their sleeves and make the Happening happen. They are the big, beating heart of the festival.”

“And I would also like to thank our sponsors for this year, who have come on board to help us stage one of the most popular events in the north-east calendar. They are Simpson’s Malt, EnerQuip, The Bay Fish & Chips, Whittakers Engineering, NFU Mutual and Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace.”

Robert said everyone involved in the Midsummer Beer Happening was delighted that 2024 proved to be so memorable.

“And now we start planning to make 2025, just as spectacular.”

For more information go to msbh.co.uk