Gloucester Beer Festival

Here’s a heads up on two excellent beer festivals coming up in the next few months, writes William Greenwood.

1. Gloucester Beer Festival 2017
Friday 31st March and Saturday 1st April.

Please note the earlier date this year, this festival was previously held on the third weekend of April.

Facebook page :
https://www.facebook.com/events/403407969992654/

This festival is easily accessible by train on a day return basis. I’d recommend getting a London-bound GWR train, changing at Cardiff, and then, after waiting about 15 minutes, catching a Cross Country Derby and Nottingham-bound service. Split your ticket at Cardiff to save some cash.

Beer on the Wye Festival

2. Beer on The Wye XIII, 2017, Hereford
Friday 7th to Sunday 9th July

Facebook page for up to date information:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/BeerOnTheWye/about/?ref=page_internal

This is a thoroughly recommended summer beer festival, with a good weather record over the years, and lots of excellent beers (100+) and ciders (about 50).

It’s also located within very easy walking distance of Hereford city centre, where many excellent and ale-friendly pubs can be found.

If you intend to camp or campervan, the site is immediately behind the Hereford Rowing Club, adjoining the beer festival. It is possible to turn up and pay cash at the gate, but we’d suggest turning up nice and early on the Friday.

Best days for the festival itself are Friday and Saturday (not so much Sunday, when most beers/ciders will have run out).

If you want to stay in a B&B or guest house in Hereford, we’d suggest booking now before the more affordable accommodation fills up.

Day trips are also feasible – the Manchester service (Arriva) from Swansea is direct, but takes two hours.

Dogs are allowed at this beer festival, so pet owners take note.

Let’s have a BIG Swansea and NPT CAMRA Beer on The Wye turnout!