Final Midlands Craft Beer Festival takes place in Moate this weekend

The Midlands Craft Beer Festival, organised by local beer specialist Simon Broderick, will take place for the final time this weekend.

The event, which has been a staple of the summertime calendar in Moate for the last ten years, is set to take place on Saturday (August 31) in Don's Bar, from 3pm.

Explaining the reason for ending the festival this year, Simon explained it's best to finish on a high.

“It's a celebration,” Simon explained. “I'm happy enough. I've done it for ten years now. I think it makes sense to finish while it's still good, rather than to keep it going for the sake of keeping it going. It's time to call it a day.

“There are some other festivals happening locally. So it's more like I'm passing on the baton. There's still stuff happening.”

Breweries that will feature at the event this year include Wide Street Brewery from Ballymahon, Dublin's Lineman Brewery, Brehon Brehouse from Monaghan, Rye River from Kildare, and Athlone's Dead Centre Brewery.

In addition to the select offerings from a variety of craft breweries, there will be live music from Midlands-based blues band Blind Dog, alternative folk band The Willows, DJ Keith Marshall, and new electronic act Keepeye.

Admission is free.