Round-up: World Whisky Day | Drygate | Shellfish

Drink:

World Whisky Day, a truly global celebration of whisky in all its forms, was toasted in more countries than ever before and even conquered Antarctica this year.

For the first time World Whisky Day, which was set up by an Aberdeen University student, was celebrated with events on all seven continents, including the most inhospitable place on Earth – Antarctica.

Tens of thousands of whisky fans all over the world raised a dram on Saturday May 16 with more than 160 events registered in 46 different countries.

Drygate to celebrate 1st birthday with art event

Glasgow craft beer brewery Drygate is preparing to celebrate its first birthday with a beer-inspired project led by graduates of The Glasgow School of Art.

The official unveiling of the art will act as the centrepiece to Drygate’s Birthday Weekender – a free event taking place on Friday 29th & Saturday 30th May, featuring live music, guest craft brewers, stallholders and art installations.

Drygate invited GSA graduates from all over the world to create artwork inspired by beer and brewing in Glasgow.

Aldi's Scottish Beer Festival boost

Aldi’s sixth Scottish Beer Festival is expected to be worth £165,000 to the breweries taking part, bringing the total generated for craft breweries over the past three years to £750,000.

The Beer Festival will hit Scottish shelves on 14 May for six weeks, or as long as stocks last, and the brewery with the best-selling beer at the end of it will secure a six month listing with Aldi worth at least £50,000. (Source: Aldi)

Food:

Scottish food industry gets £70m boost

The new Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme is now open for capital-related applications, widening to non-capital and co-operation bids later in the year.

The scheme will invest £70million into food and drink processing across Scotland as part of the £1.3billion Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is expected to receive formal approval by the EU shortly.

Cabinet Secretary for Food Richard Lochhead made the announcement during a visit to The Breadwinner Bakery in Edinburgh, during Real Bread Week in Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink.

Scottish shellfish industry now worth £10.5m

The value of the shellfish industry has increased by 18 per cent to £10.5 million at first sale value in 2014.

Some 7,683 tonnes of mussels were produced last year, the highest ever on record, according Marine Scotland Science figures published today.

The Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2014 details statistics on the employment, production and value of shellfish from Scottish farms. (Source: FISH update)

Scottish Farming Families Support Open Farm Sunday

Around 30 Scottish farming families will this year be joining farmers throughout the UK and opening their gates to the public for Open Farm Sunday on 7 June.

Among them is the Dawes family who farm near Kinross and are looking forward to welcoming up to 1000 visitors as part of the LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) initiative.

Quality Meat Scotland is one of the supporters of Open Farm Sunday which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and offers a unique opportunity for consumers to see for themselves what’s involved in farming and food production. (Source: Quality Meat Scotland)

Events:

The Whisky Stramash, Edinburgh

(Sat and Sun, 23-24th May)

The Whisky Stramash returns for its fourth year in the Scottish Capital this month and if you haven’t been before it is well worth checking out.

The popular two-day experiential event – celebrating Scotland’s national drink – has a host of impressive brands lined up to showcase and sample their whiskies in weird and wonderful ways during the Saturday and Sunday sessions.

Ticket price: £26