Scottish Food News – February 2014

Let’s begin this month with buses. People often complain of waiting ages for one, only for two to arrive at the same time, and to those people we say ‘shhh.’ There are two buses, you’ll almost certainly get a seat on one of them, this is not a bad thing. It’s a situation we find ourselves in on the 6 Feb, except we’re substituting ‘bus’ for ‘beer event’ because this is Food News not Clichéd Observation News. 

Edinburgh craft beer barons Jake’s Place play host to the brewers from Alechemy Brewing, with a host of beers on the go, the enticing promise of free samples, and the chance to stand near people who will ask much more involved questions than you’ll be able to come up with. 6 Feb, Jake’s Place, 6 Market St, Edinburgh, free

Meanwhile across town, two of Scotland’s top breweries will be busy squaring off in a stout-based blind beer tasting competition. In their latest Battle of The Brewers, Fyne Ales step up to the challenge of Food and Drink Survey winners Stewart Brewing in a clash of mystery beers, with the ticket money going to charity. As if that wasn’t enough, the Battle is also taking place on the same night at Inn Deep in Glasgow. If you like beer then, well, 6 Feb is going to be a good day for you, isn’t it? 8pm, Holyrood 9A, 9A Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh and Inn Deep, 445 Great Western Rd, Glasgow, £5

If you don’t like beer, then what about a David Bowie-themed brunch? Yes, you read right, a David Bowie-themed brunch. Bruncheon combines the music of The Thin White Duke, as performed by a host of Edinburgh musicians, with a ‘David Bowie-themed food menu’ to chew on. If there isn’t a bacon-heavy option on the menu called ‘Piggy Stardust’ we’ll be very disappointed. 8 Feb, 11:30am, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny St, Edinburgh

If the prospect of all this booze and crap punning leaves you in need of a healthy fillip, we have just the thing. Dig-In is a project in Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield that is aiming to set up a community greengrocer selling local produce and run by the local community. Dig-In’s funding deadline falls at the end of the month, and any investment made gets you a vote in how the place is run. Get involved with a great community resource, or simply buy one share and spend meetings demanding the grocer stocks a wider range of sweets, it’s your call. Crucially, there won’t be any actual work to do until next month, so your community-minded efforts won’t get in the way of your boozing and brunching. You’re welcome. diginbruntsfield.co.uk for more info