Burns’ Suppers are burgeoning south of the border, offering ideal opportunities to banish late-January blues with soul-stirring music and special Scottish-themed treats celebrating the birthday of Scotland’s world-famous poet.
All about draft
At Draft House Tower Bridge’s Tasting Rooms in London, the traditional Draft House Beer, Food & Whisky Banquet returns with a twist. While 75 diners tuck into Draft House haggis, neeps & tatties washed down with some of Scotland’s best craft beers and whiskies, resident whisky ambassador Auchie Ally introduces four "epic" single malts from Auchentoshan’s armoury, paired with each course.
The highlight is the rolling in of an oak firkin, one of six Draft House has acquired in partnership with Clackmannanshire-based Harviestoun brewery. Constructed from virgin charred American oak, the firkin will contain a powerful barrel-aged "Scotch ale" brewed by a Draft House team at Harviestoun. Each of six firkins will be delivered to a Draft House outlet and laid down in the cellar until Burns’ Night 2015. Owner Charlie McVeigh predicts a 10% rise in sales on that week.
Burns bonanza
Honky Tonk Clapham and Chelsea, in south-west London, host a Burns bonanza, with Scottish-American dishes including haggis burgers and mini battered Mars Bars. Licensed until 2am, the themed bars’ entertainment will include poetry and ceilidh-style line-dancing.
A culinary homage, with whisky-fried haggis, neeps & tatties followed by cranachan, gives Ayrshire-born co-owner Nigel Wydymus one of his favourite Burns Night moments: introducing a sipping tour of Scotch whisky distilleries, complete with specially designed map and tasting notes (£15/£12.50 without tour) at the Coastguard, St Margaret’s Bay, Kent.