THE 2018 Dunfermline Beer Festival gets under way tonight (Friday). 

Dominic Collings, of organisers Dunfermline Round Table, explains: “The event has been running for 15 years now but it’s very different from its humble craft beer-only beginnings. 

“About six years ago, we added a selection of wine to the event, which was quickly followed by Prosecco and then flavoured craft ciders.

"Calling it a ‘Beer Festival’ is merely a tagline since it’s really a drinks and live music festival.

“It stayed this way for a few years until last year, when we decided to add a new drinks line in the form of a Gin Bar. Last year, this was a huge success, and this year, we’ve hooked up with local craft gin brewers Minus 33. 

"The Rosyth-based drinks producers impressed us with their attention to detail, focusing on high-quality tonics and interesting blends to bring a bigger, better gin bar to the 2018 Dunfermline Beer Festival.”

Rosyth gin brewers Minus 33 are bringing a collection of flavours and cocktails this year from their ‘Elderflower Spritz’ to ‘33 days of Bloom’, which is a slim cocktail with only 46 calories per serving.

Another popular drink will be their ‘Raspberry 33 Fizz’ which they say is easy to make at home so try it; ask questions about how it’s made and if you like it, try some at home!

The festival, backed as media sponsor by the Press, raises tens of thousands of pounds for local charities in the Dunfermline area and this year’s festival will be held at the Glen Pavilion in Pittencrieff Park tomorrow and Saturday.

The festival opens tomorrow night from 5pm till 1am, Saturday afternoon 12-4pm and Saturday night from 7pm till 1am. Advanced tickets are available from Ticketweb, Grill 48, Little Shop of Heroes and the Dunfermline RFC Clubrooms at McKane Park; priced £8.