Belhaven Brewery and Archerfield in East Lothian have launched their new Festive food and beer sessions.

Following a successful Fringe By The Sea event in August, Scotland’s oldest working brewery, Belhaven, in Dunbar have again teamed up with nearby Archerfield (House) for a couple more events in the run up to Christmas.

I went along to the launch and was blown away by the standard of the food, the exceptional Scottish beers and all the banter that comes with it.

BELHAVEN BREWERY AND ARCHERFIELD FESTIVE FOOD AND BEER SESSIONS

The Belhaven x Archerfield Winter Sessions are taking place on Thursday 24th November and the following Thursday, 1st December. These two intimate events will once again see Belhaven’s brewery team join forces with Dave Jamieson, Executive Chef at the prestigious Archerfield to offer an intimate evening of perfectly paired beer and food at Scotland’s oldest continuously working brewery, having been established in 1719.

On arrival, guests will be able to enjoy a winter walk through 300 years of brewing history in the courtyard and served the 80/- beer alongside some elevated bar snacks like hot roasted foraged chestnuts smoked in the BBQ smoker, Winter spiced nuts, Belhaven beer can chicken popcorn with chorizo crumb and Belhaven smokehouse salmon jerky. Then you head upstairs to the brewery’s own bar, the Monks Retreat, for a tasting of four refreshing Belhaven beers, each paired with four dishes from Archerfield’s new winter menu.

The menu is seasonal, using local ingredients where possible, all enhanced by the beer pairings – with plenty of time to talk about the beer along the way.

Here’s what delicious food and beer pairings lie in wait for you:

Belhaven Best Cured Salmon with pickled cucumber, smoked dulse, fennel crisps and Belhaven smoked cheddar gougeres paired with Belhaven Craft Pilsner

King Charles Estate Venison Tartare with sweet potato crackers, foraged brambles and blanched almonds paired with Belhaven Scottish Oat Stout

Crispy Brands Farm Pork Belly with East Lothian langoustine tempura, heritage apple and crackling paired with Belhaven Scottish Ale

Belhaven Black Forest Chocolate Ganache with cherry gel and poppy candy paired with Belhaven Black Scottish Stout

Petite Fours Seabuckthorn Jellies and Chestnut and Tonka bean fudge

To Takeaway Brands Farm Mutton and Belhaven 80 Shilling Pie and Belhaven Beer Roll with smoked cheese and onion jam

One thing you have to do before you leave is try their beer printer where you upload a photo and it prints it onto your beer. Party trick of the year!

This is a fantastic food and beer pairing event. I won’t go into detail because that’s part of the experience but know that the food is outstanding and the beers are perfectly paired. The whole event is alot of fun, there’s superb banter from Belhaven Brewery staff and Archerfield Chefs.

I would consider this my top event to attend to get you into the festive spirit.

St Andrews day will be the theme on Thursday 24th November, while Thursday 1st December’s event will focus on the festive period. Places are limited and must be booked in advance at https://www.belhaven.co.uk/our-beers/belhaven-x-archerfield-winter-sessions.

Tickets are priced £25 per person including all food and drink on the evening. A vegetarian menu is also available.

Belhaven Brewery, Dunbar, EH42 1PE

You can catch a bus from Edinburgh to Dunbar, or the train from Waverley to Dunbar which takes about 18 minutes or drive, which can take around 45minutes.