Summer is coming to an end but there is still time for interesting events and outdoor festivals. One of them is "Rhythm and Beer," which will be held on September 12 and 13 in the best known park in Sofia - the Borisova Gradina. The festival is held for the third time and brings together lovers of hip-hop, trip-hop and chill-out music. While having fun in the park, visitors will be able to taste beers offered during the festival. This year the focus of the event is the Balkans. The production of micro breweries from Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Slovenia and Croatia will be presented during the festival. More about the event from one of the organisers - Hristo Arakliev:

“The idea of the festival emerged as we thought that there should be more non-commercial festivals for the people. The goal is for people to spend a nice day in a beautiful place and have a beer or two. Craft beers have been getting more and more popular and are something common in Belgium and the Netherlands, so it is no surprise that they have also gain popularity in the Balkans. "Rhythm and Beer" is different from other festivals because all visitors will have the opportunity to taste some exclusive beers. Normally one would have to travel all across Europe to be able to drink these beers.”

The festival also aims to create "a higher-quality consumer culture and way of life." According to Mr. Arakliev, this type of thinking brings people together and they form small communities that share similar interests.

In recent years, interest in craft brewing has been steadily growing. The numerous festivals and the emergence of new small breweries and manufacturers are evidence of this. Changes in the regulation of beer production, which are expected to be voted in September by the National Assembly are unlikely to bring the effect people want. Law changes would make breweries producing up to 50 000 hectolitres per year to be considered small breweries. Currently small breweries are considered those producing up to 200 000 hectolitres. We are yet to see the results, but in the meantime we could support and respect attempts for developing beer culture in Bulgaria. The Rhythm and Beer festival is definitely one of these events.

English: Alexander Markov