Festival to set spirits
TYNESIDE GIN FESTIVAL TO RETURN FOR 2017 BY
FANS of mother’s ruin are always well catered for in the North East, with a wide range of events dedicated to gin in the past few years. And after making its debut last year, one is set to return in the very near future.
September will see gin lovers in good spirits after the organisers of Tyneside Gin Festival confirmed they will be rolling into town for the second year running.
After a successful launch in 2016, event promoters Nineteen32 have announced that the gathering will take place again on September 15 and 16 at Linskill Centre in North Shields.
Billed as being an inclusive gin party for all levels of interest of the British classic, the Tyneside Gin Festival, a strictly over 18s only affair, will be complimented with an array of gin sampling, a feast of live entertainment and delectable street food stalls.
Confirming the festival’s return, event organiser Sarah Cook, said: “While the gin is the star of the show, there will be other amazing drinks, delicious street food and some fantastic local performances to immerse yourself in. Whether you’re a gin connoisseur or just out for a good time, there is something here for you!
“Everybody has different tastes when it comes to gin, so we try to offer an eclectic mix of distillers. Each of the distillers brings something different to the event. From the traditional to the contemporary, there’s a flavour for all palates.”
On arrival, festival goers can expect to receive a G&T to whet their appetites ahead of a full programme of treats, before heading inside to discover the other features on offer.
The main hall will host a gin-inspired market and outside there will be delicious street food vendors ready to help guests soak up the cocktails.
For those with a keen interest in this much-loved spirit, guests will also be given the chance to learn firsthand about the juniper’s journey from the plant to the glass, while sampling the different varieties of all of the brands on show.
The two-day festival will be split into three sessions and will have a distinctly local flavour, with a lot of the gin brands and singer songwriters hailing from Tyne and Wear.
Fellow Tyneside Gin Festival Promoter John Peacock has said that Linskill Centre is proud to be able to host local experts and believes it is vital that the centre continues to host affordable and varied firstclass entertainment for the people of Tyne and Wear.
“We wanted to bring the big festival feel to people’s doorsteps, and we certainly achieved that last year,” explains John.
“The entertainment line-up is yet to be announced, but it will feature some of the best acoustic talent the coast has to offer.
“As for the gin, there will be more than thirty options available on the bars, as well as numerous national distillers exhibiting and offering free samples. We are really excited to see the likes of Poetic License Distillery and Tinker Gin returning to Linskill, as well as welcoming new faces from the ever growing world of gin.” Tickets for the forthcoming Tyneside Gin Festival are on sale now priced at just £8. ■■The event will take place on the Friday from 6pm until 10.30pm and will see two instalments on the Saturday – noon until 4.30pm and 6pm until 10.30pm.