Traditional Scottish festival under way

May 26, 2006: CAMRA'S fourth Traditional Scottish Beer Festival has got under way and will run until tomorrow night.

The event - in the Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh - features some 130 beers from more than 30 breweries.

Scotland is the first part of the UK to feel the effect of a smoking ban, but it seems that the signs for the future might be bright with some pubs actually seeing an upturn in business.

"I am confident that this is in no small part down to the fantastic beers that are available from Scottish breweries, and nowhere is this showcased better than the Scottish Traditional Beer Festival," said CAMRA's Scottish director Ken Davie.

“The festival is a unique event on the calendar which offers more choice of superb real ales under one roof than anywhere else in Scotland. Plus our guests can be confident in being treated like adults and being given a proper glass to drink from - they are even available as souvenirs!”

That's a reference to a decision by Glasgow's Licensing Board to ban the serving of drinks in glasses by January 30, 2007. Pubs and clubs will have to use toughened glass or plastic - but there's nothing like glass for a decent pint of real ale.