The ultimate pint of heavy? For fans of AC/DC, a very special brew shipped into Angus in honour of the rock giants probably is.
On the first weekend in May, Kirriemuir will pay homage to one of the town’s most famous sons when hundreds arrive from the UK and beyond for the annual Bon Fest.
The event celebrates the memory of Ronald Belford ‘Bon’ Scott, the group’s lead singer from 1974 until he met an untimely end in 1980, aged just 33.
More than 30 years on, Scott’s place in the annals of AC/DC is stronger than ever and, as efforts to erect a Kirrie statue of the vocalist continue to gather pace, organisers of the two-day Bon Fest have taken delivery of the perfect toast to their hero.
Community organisation DD8 Music have spearheaded the success of Bon Fest and one of the group’s leading figures has just taken delivery of a shipment of AC/DC beer after tapping into the novel drink through his international fan contacts.
The band linked up with German brewer Karlsberg to release its own official beer and a stock of the pint-sized tins along with a 10 five-litre kegs is now chilling nicely in Angus in preparation for Bon Fest, where acts from Italy and Germany will be headlining the two nights at the town hall.
John Crawford of DD8 Music said: “I travel all over Europe to fan festivals and was at an international event in October where they had the beer.
“Through some of my contacts in the German fan club I got in touch with one of the sales directors of the company, so that’s how this came about.
“It’ll all go on the first night for certain I’ve already had requests from people to get full cans so they can keep them.”
Future years might even see a broader range of AC/DC booze on offer at the Bon Fest bar since the band have also put their name to bottles of wine.
Alongside their Thunderstruck Chardonnay is a Highway to Hell Cabernet Sauvignon, although there is no sign yet of a Whole Lotta Ros.Taste test: Hits you like T.N.T.If AC/DC’s music knocks your socks off then their beer removes the undercrackers, writes Graeme Bletcher.
The 5% strength of this rock ‘n’ roll tipple cuts through its hoppy taste and is reminiscent of many mid-range German brews.
To class the lager as an upmarket version of Kestrel would be to do it a disservice, but it doesn’t match its more expensive continental counterparts.
The question is will hundreds of sweaty long-haired rockers care what it’s like come Bon Fest time?
Or will they be more interested in keeping the tin?