Wye Valley Brewery News

Wye Valley Brewery is CourtLaughing

2012-01-19T09:18:00.002Z

Wye Valley Brewery is pleased to announce that it is to sponsor CourtLaughing, Hereford's first comedy festival, which will be held at The Courtyard theatre.

There will be three headlines acts and lots more 'warm up' gigs to be confirmed. First headline act to be announced is Jon Richardson, the new host of Channel 4's Stand Up For The Week, team captain on 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and best-selling author will be taking his show, Funny Magnet across the UK.

The Festival will take place from 25th to 27th May 2012 at The Courtyard Theatre, in Hereford. For more information about What's on visit www.courtyard.org.uk

Wye Valley wins trio of awards

2012-01-03T11:23:00.002Z

Wye Valley Brewery scooped a trio of awards at the West Midlands CAMRA Beer of the Year Awards.

Ever popular Butty Bach won bronze in the Strong Bitters category, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout won Gold in the Dark Real Ale in a Bottle category, and Dorothy Goodbody's Golden Ale won bronze in the Light Real Ale in a Bottle category.

Look out for new beer mats

2011-12-06T14:57:00.002Z

Look out for our new beer mats, which arrived at the brewery yesterday. They are making their way in to pubs as we write! They have QR scanable codes on them, which enable you to enter a monthly prize draw to win a case of beer.

Keep a look out in your local, and get scanning! Even better, if you don't have the correct technology you can just visit the website to register.

Herefordshire pub wins Best Local at National Awards

2011-12-01T10:39:00.002Z

‘Just the sort of local beer champion we need!’ said judges.

The Bell Inn, Leominster was crowned Best SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) Local at the recent Business Awards, held at the Crowne Plaza, London on 14th November.

The SIBA Business Awards, rewards brewing members for their achievements in areas of their business, such as marketing, customer service, pack design and community support.

The Business Awards was established in 2006, and in 2011 for the first time, pub members were recognised. Mike Hall, landlord of The Bell Inn, was delighted to be the first to win Best SIBA Local. The judges said Mike and his pub are ‘…just the sort of local beer champions we need!’

Mike was praised by the judges, they said ‘he is proud to be a custodian of real ale, and ensures his staff are fully inducted, trained and encouraged to share his passion and communicate it to the pub’s customers’.

There was success also for Wye Valley Brewery, who picked up Highly Commended in the Best Marketing category, for their new advertising campaign celebrating the social context of “real people enjoying a real beer together”. The campaign gives well-known proverbs an amusing twist, examples include ‘All work and no HPA makes Jack a dull boy’ and ‘Pint of Butty at night, Drinker’s Delight’.

Pictured left to right, Mike Hall, landlord of The Bell Inn with daughter Emily, and Vernon Amor Managing Director of Wye Valley Brewery.

Lovely new polypins, now available!

2011-11-24T14:00:00.002Z

Our smart new polypins are now all ready to go!

With posh new packaging, which incorporates our Wye's Words theme, and pictures of our delicious pints! Perfect timing for those festive gatherings, they contain approximately 36 pints, and you can choose from Wye Valley Bitter, HPA and Butty Bach. You can call in at the brewery or purchase online, so treating yourself this Christmas couldn't be easier!

Brewery Shop, Open Saturdays

2011-11-22T17:00:00.003Z

O come all ye thirsty!

Our brewery shop is going to be open on Saturdays leading up to Christmas, visit on 3rd, 10th and 17th December, 10am to 4pm, also late night opening on Wednesday 21st December, 10am to 9pm. And of course we are open Monday - Friday, 9am to 4.30pm as usual!

Stock up for Christmas, with bottles of your favourite ales and plenty of gift ideas from branded clothing to stocking fillers. Also available are our party sized 36 pint polypins, perfect for Christmas get togethers. Very soon to be available from our online shop.

We are really easy to find, on the A465 Hereford to Bromyard road.

Highly Commended at SIBA Awards

2011-11-15T12:02:00.003Z

Last night the annual SIBA Brewing Business Awards 2011 took place in London. We were delighted to be awarded Highly Commended for our new range of adverts in the Best Marketing category.

The awards are now in their sixth year, and are open to all of SIBA's brewing members. 12 brewers were recognised for their contributions.

We nominated The Bell at Leominster for Best SIBA Local category, and were so pleased when he was crowned winner!

Meet the brewer at the Wild Duck Inn

2011-11-03T14:34:00.003Z

Wye Valley Brewery will be holding a Meet the Brewer night at The Wild Duck Inn at Ewen, Cirencester on Monday 7th November at 7.30pm.

Get a unique insight in to the brewery, along with a tutored tasting of six of their delicious cask ales, and food to match specially selected by the Head Chef of The Wild Duck.

Tickets are £10 per person and include:
6 samples of Wye Valley cask ales
1 pint of Wye Valley cask ale
Food featuring Wye Valley ale, specially selected by The Wild Duck Head Chef
A prize draw to win a Brewer for the Day experience at Wye Valley Brewery, Herefordshire.

Contact The Wild Duck on 01285 770310 for tickets.

Birmingham Beer Festival opens today!

2011-10-27T11:01:00.003+01:00

Birmingham Beer Festival 2011 opens today, Thursday 27th October. The festival recently relocated to a larger site, to enable it to continue to grow, it will consist of an extensive range of beer, cider, perry and live music to keep the visitors entertained!

You can visit the Wye Valley Brewery bar at the festival from 27th October to 29th October, head over to Second City Suite, Sherlock St. Opening hours are 11am to 11pm each day, for more information visit www.birminghambeerfestival.co.uk

Pictured: The Wye Valley Brewery bar with Wye Valley Bitter, HPA, Butty Bach, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout and OT all ready to go!

Peter celebrates 25 years

2011-10-27T08:40:00.003+01:00

On Monday 24th October, Chairman of Wye Valley Brewery Peter Amor celebrated 25 years as landlord of The Barrels. One of his reegular drinkers baked a Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout Chocolate Cake to celebrate the occasion!

Photo: Peter cutting his cake

Hereford Originals are victorious

2011-10-03T12:34:00.002+01:00

The Hereford Originals have been crowned winners of the 2010/11 Wye Valley Brewery Quiz League. The final took place at The Barrels on Sunday 2nd October, between Hereford Originals, Barrels A and The Dog.

The Hereford Originals came away with a fantastic score of 126 out of 150.

Congratulations to the team, we look forward to welcomeing them back to our 2011/12 league, which kicks on Sunday 9th October.

Pictured Adrian Tilley (left) receiving the cup from Peter Amor (Chairman of Wye Valley Brewery).

Finalist in Sainsbury's Beer Challenge

2011-09-29T12:33:00.004+01:00

We are delighted to be named as a finalist in the Sainsbury's Great British Beer Hunt! We brewed a special beer, Wye Not?, especially for the competition and will be attending the grand final tomorrow (Friday).

At the final, eight beers from across the country will be tasted, and judged by beer experts, beer writers and representatives from Sainsbury's. Two beers will win a six month national listing in Sainsbury's stores nationwide!

Talking hops

2011-09-29T09:09:00.007+01:00

Join our Head Brewer Jimmy Swan who is talking hops, with The Guest Ale blog.

Visit
www.theguestale.com

Everything you ever wanted to know about cask ale!

2011-09-27T15:34:00.002+01:00

This years Cask Ale Report is now available to download from www.caskreport.co.uk. It is aimed at publicans but is also of interest to those who enjoy a pint of the lovely stuff!

The Cask Ale Report is written by Pete Brown and supported by CAMRA, SIBA, the Family Brewers of Britain and Cask Marque.

To summarise briefly cask ale has done really well, in what has been a tough year for pubs, it continues to outperform other on-trade drinks.

So put your feet up, and take a few minutes to give it a quick read!

Hop Pole - Pub of the Year 2011

2011-09-05T09:23:00.005+01:00

The Hop Pole at Droitwich has recently been awarded Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011. To celebrate Tim from the Hop Pole brought some of his regular drinkers to Wye Valley Brewery for a brewery tour, and we surprised him with this lovely sign!

Congratulations Tim and the team.

Pictured left to right, Julie Allen Sales Representative Cotswolds and West Midlands, Tim Landlord of the Hop Pole Droitwich, Jimmy Swan Head Brewer of the Wye Valley Brewery and Emma Jenkins Sales Admin

Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout, named Classic Beer of the Month by Jeff Evans

2011-09-02T09:04:00.003+01:00

Jeff Evans, World renowned beer writer, has named Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout his Classic Beer of the Month, on his website Inside Beer.

Jeff says that in his forthcoming Book of Beer Knowledge, he suggests which beers may best, today, exemplify a wide range of beer styles. For the dry Irish stout style, he plumps for Wye Valley’s Dorothy Goodbody’s Wholesome Stout. Well, who are we to disagree!

Read Jeff's review at www.insidebeer.com

Another successful Barrels Beer Festival

2011-09-01T08:34:00.002+01:00

Another August Bank Holiday, another successful Charity Beer Festival

Visitors to The Barrels 24th Annual Charity Beer Festival enjoyed 700 gallons of excellent beers from various British brewers, and 125 gallons of local cider and perry.

The beer festival is run by volunteers and benefits local Charities. In total, this year’s festival raised a record £19,500, which was split between 23 charities.

In particular, the festival donated £1,000 to The Mayor of Hereford’s chosen charities, which were Help for Heroes and Macmillan Renton Unit.

Pictured Peter Amor, Landlord of The Barrels handing over a cheque for £1,000 to The Mayor of Hereford Councillor Julie Woodward.

A very busy day...

2011-08-25T12:25:00.002+01:00

On Saturday 20th August 2011 we opened our doors for a special Brewery Open Day to celebrate Herefordshire Food Week. Despite less than sunny weather, the crowds were not deterred and the local real ale brewery welcomed visitors from near and far on-site to experience a taste of Wye Valley Brewery hospitality.

Over 400 people experienced a free brewery tour to find out more about how they create their award-winning real ales. In addition, Head Brewer Jimmy Swan ran tutored beer tasting sessions featuring a taste-test of a pale smooth beer ‘Hop Stringer’ which has been brewed as part of a trial of a new local hop variety. Hop Stringer was brewed to a similar recipe as Wye Valley Brewery’s ever popular HPA, but substituted a new trial local hop variety so that the taste of the new hop could be compared to a known benchmark.

Local producers were also there to celebrate the creative use of beer in great local produce. Legges of Bromyard ran a gourmet sausage BBQ featuring special beer recipe sausages and showcased a new range of sauces and condiments featuring Wye Valley beers. Local craft bakery Loafers bought along special hand-made beer breads. The sausages and bread proved extremely popular – both sold out! In addition a competitive BBQ team, The Dean Order of Smokers and Grillers ran a demonstration featuring Legges meats in some of their award winning recipes.

There were 5 delicious Wye Valley Brewery cask-conditioned beers on the bar including Hop Stringer and their August special - Summer Sting - brewed with organic Herefordshire Nettles. Over 700 pints were served and enjoyed.

New real ale campaign puts real people back in the picture

2011-08-16T08:57:00.004+01:00

Wye Valley Brewery is launching a distinctive new advertising campaign that celebrates the social context of real people enjoying a real beer together.

As Jennie Hermolle, Wye Valley Brewery’s Marketing Executive, explains, “When we reviewed current real-ale advertising we discovered a very lonely looking world. Virtually every advert we saw contained a picture of a solitary pint of beer, but rarely any human beings! At Wye Valley Brewery, a great pint is only half the story – enjoying great real ale in a proper pub is all the better when you’re in good company.”

The new campaign, created by Jeff Fuge of the design consultancy Objective Ingenuity, takes its inspiration from the special kind of ‘pub wisdom’ that is unearthed when you take time to sit down with a fresh, satisfying cask-conditioned beer and have a proper conversation with the people around you.

This has been turned into a series of ‘Wye’s Words’ – famous proverbs and sayings rewritten with a distinctive Wye Valley Brewery take on the world. They communicate a ‘real ale, real pub and real life’ message – but not without a good measure of humour. Headlines such as ‘All work and no HPA makes Jack a dull boy’ and ‘A pint in the hand is worth a queue at the bar’ show that the brand doesn’t take itself too seriously.

People respond warmly to the adverts and are keen to suggest their own Wye’s Words for future adverts – so it seems the idea has struck the right chord and will be prove itself to be a very ‘Wye’s move’.

Big Orange Quiz raises big total for charity!

2011-08-10T16:30:00.001+01:00

A big orange thank-you to all those who got involved and took part in the Big Orange Quiz which raised over £1000 for Noah's Ark Trust!

4 pubs raised £100 or more including The Talbot in Ledbury; Cornewall Arms, Clodock, Longtown; The Morgan in Great Morgan; and The Barrels in Hereford.

A quiz team who called themselves ‘The Weakest Link’ proved their name was no limitation, winning not only the Big Orange Quiz at The Castle Hotel in Bishops Castle but also the overall prize draw of a team canoe trip down the River Wye and a case of Ark Ale for each team member. Team Captain Rhys Davies, who lives in Bishops Castle said they were 'Surprised and delighted to win the big prize' and has promised us a picture of the team on their canoe trip.

Everyone at Wye Valley Brewery and Noah's Ark Trust would like to send their thanks to the following pubs for their effort and generous donations raised:
Cornewall Arms, Clodock, Longtown
The Talbot, Ledbury
The Barrels, Hereford
The Morgan, Great Malvern
Bull Ring, Kingstone
The Garway Moon Inn, Garway
The Bell Inn, Tillington
The Castle Hotel, Bishops Castle
Red Lion, Woebley
The Hostelrie at Goodrich
Crown Inn, Oakengates
Harp Inn, Old Radnor
Green Dragon Inn, Bishops Frome
Bridge Inn, Kentchurch
Golden Cross Inn, Sutton Saint Nicholas
The Crown Inn, Cerney Wick
The Cross Inn, Eardisland
Bridge End Inn, Llyswen
Wye Knot Inn, Symonds Yat

Finalists in the IGD Food Industry Awards

2011-08-09T12:41:00.002+01:00

Excellent news, Wye Valley Brewery has been named as a finalist in the IGD Food Industry Awards 2011, Morrisons Award for Outstanding Small Business.

We will be presenting to the judges in September and the awards dinner takes place in October. We are up against, Liberation Foods, Lincolnshire Herbs & Natural Balance Foods

Please keep everything crossed for us!

Wye Valley vs Hobsons

2011-08-09T11:11:00.003+01:00

On the 24th July we played our annual sports match against Hobsons Brewery. This usually takes the form of a cricket match, but due to the number of injuries, this year we decided a rounders match might be a safer option.

The match turned out to be fantastic fun for everyone, with many rounders scored! Wye Valley Brewery, having lost the cricket for the last couple of years, were victorious, winning by just half a rounder!

Pictured is Tyler Davis (right), son of Hobsons Head Brewer Nick Davis, handing over the prize of the Golden Dipstick to Max Amor (left), son of Vernon Amor, Managing Director of Wye Valley Brewery.

Gold for Dorothy, again!

2011-08-09T08:22:00.004+01:00

Dorothy Goodbody is quite used to winning gold medals for her beers, especially for her Country Ale!

Having already been awarded Gold at the SIBA Wales & West competition, the bottled beer has now been awarded gold at the International Beer Challenge 2011.

Managing Director, Vernon Amor said 'We are delighted to have won a gold medal at the IBC. It is a big pat on the back to our brewers and marketing team who combine their talents perfectly with our Dorothy Goodbody range'.

Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale (6.0% abv) is a strong, full bodied ruby ale. You can buy it online at the Wye Valley Brewery shop.

For more information on the IBC awards visit www.offlicencenews.co.uk.

Summer Sting for August

2011-08-02T11:50:00.003+01:00

We braved the nettle patch to bring you August's Monthly Cask Special beer - Summer Sting - back this year by popular demand. It's a lovely golden beer brewed with a late infusion of organically grown Herefordshire nettles, with a grassy aroma and sublte spicy aftertaste.

Photo shows Head Brewer Jimmy Swan picking nettles for his brew. Take care Jimmy!!

Success for Wye Valley employees

2011-08-01T12:09:00.002+01:00

Product quality and a dedicated team of people are at the heart of Wye Valley Brewery’s values.

Val Williams, Quality Assurance Supervisor, has recently gained a Distinction grade in the Level 3 Award in HACCP for food manufacturing.

Since Val’s appointment in 2010 she has been responsible for bringing microbiological testing ‘in house’, and has strengthened Wye Valley Brewery’s commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of product quality, and customer service.

Said Vernon Amor, Managing Director at Wye Valley Brewery, ‘At Wye Valley Brewery we make great beer using top quality raw materials, but our staff are the most important ingredient for success, investing in their training and development is essential.’

In addition to Val’s success, other members of the production team Sean Tobin, Matt Ingram and Jamie Craddock have achieved NVQ qualifications. Sean, Level 3 in Business Management, Matt and Jamie Level 2 in Team Leading.

Pictured is Val Williams with her certificate.

Wye Valley Brewery Wins Medium Business of the Year

2011-07-27T08:47:00.003+01:00

A very proud Vernon Amor, MD of Wye Valley Brewery received the award for Medium Business of the Year 2011 award at Hereford & Worcester Chamber of Commerce Awards last Thursday. Said Vernon, "I am absolutely over the moon for me and everybody at the brewery. We are a relatively small business and it really is a collective effort. We are really really pleased."

The judges said that Wye Valley Brewery had shown 'real initiative' in selecting their market base and had clearly identified where their growth was going to be coming from.

Ancient Briton gets local CAMRA vote for 3rd year running!

2011-07-25T12:22:00.003+01:00

Congratulations to the Ancient Briton at Pen-y-Cae in the Upper Swansea Valley, which has been voted the Pub of the Year for a record third consecutive year by the Neath Port Talbot Branch of the CAMRA.

A special presentation was held at the pub on Saturday 16th July, attended by members of both the Neath Port Talbot and Swansea branches who were ferried to the Event in a specially hired vintage double decker bus. Bar Manager Hywel Roberts was presented with certificates by Neath Port Talbot Chairman, John Skinner, for the Branch Pub of the Year 2011 and for the Runner Up for the South and Mid Wales Pub of the Year 2010.

The pub regularly features a superb range of real ales from breweries from all parts of the country, including Wye Valley Brewery Beers, dispensed from the impressive array of thirteen handpumps that now adorn the main bar.

The occasion was made even more special by celebrating CAMRA's fortieth anniversary with a special cake that was cut by landlady Janine David. It certainly proved to be the icing on the cake as far as the Ancient Briton is concerned.

Photographed(left to right): Gerald James, licensee; John Skinner, chairman Neath Port Talbot CAMRA; Hywel Roberts, Bar Manager; Wynford Day, secretary Neath Port Talbot CAMRA.

Ledbury Food Festival

2011-07-04T11:12:00.003+01:00

We enjoyed a lovely sunny day out at Ledbury Food Festival on Sunday 3rd July. Thank you to those who came along and bought our bottle conditioned beer to enjoy at home. Andy from The Talbot popped to our stall and took our picture, Thanks Andy!

Brewer does the double

2011-06-30T16:46:00.002+01:00

Members of staff at Wye Valley Brewery are enjoying a celebratory drink with brewer Ben Adams, who has been crowned Silver medalist at the International Barrel Rolling Championships.

Ben entered the men’s singles competition and after winning the Silver medal he persuaded his girlfriend to enter the mixed doubles with him, where they did the double, winning Silver here too!

This isn’t the first success Wye Valley Brewery has had at Barrel Rolling, Managing Director Vernon Amor and Head Brewer Jimmy Swan won the Bromyard Barrel Rolling race a few years ago!

Wye Valley Brewery will enter a team in to The Inaugural World Championship Hop Pocket Race at the Bromyard Hop Festival. This takes place on Saturday 3rd September.

photo shows silver medalists from Wye Valley Brewery, Emma Wall and Brewer Ben Adams.

The Power of the Flower!

2011-06-30T10:38:00.002+01:00

Wye Valley Brewery’s monthly beer offering for July comes in the form of Flower Power!

Flower Power is a flavoursome pale ale featuring Herefordshire elderflowers and is the first of its kind for Wye Valley Brewery. This 4.4% abv beer is described as a pale straw coloured beer, bursting with flavour from Styrian Goldings hops and the addition of fresh elderflowers.

Brewery staff took time out of the office to collect elderflowers for the brew from a local farm, said brewer Ben Adams, ‘We had to be enterprising when picking the elderflowers, a step ladder was an essential item!’

Look out for this floral beer in free houses in the West Midlands, Gloucestershire, Bristol and South Wales during July.

Big Orange Quiz...coming to a pub near you

2011-06-10T08:20:00.003+01:00

From 27th June for one week, Wye Valley Brewery are promoting the Big Orange Quizathon in support of local charity, Noah's Ark Trust. We are asking pubs to be part of the campaign by running a Big Orange Quiz during that week. The winning team from each quiz will be entered into a draw to win a fantastic prize of a team canoe trip down the River Wye plus a case of Wye Valley Brewery's special Ark Ale for each team member!

Why not speak to your local pub and see if they would like to get involved. For more information visit

www.bigorangequiz.blogspot.com

or email

marketing@wyevalleybrewery.co.uk

The perfect match...

2011-06-02T15:01:00.004+01:00

According to drinkers at Kilverts in Hay on Wye, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout is the perfect match for soft cheese Brie!

Wye Valley won the first annual Beer and Cheese matching event at Kilverts in Hay on Wye. There were 2 beers each from Wye Valley, Breconshire and Otley breweries which were being matched with Hereford Hop, Sun Dried Tomato Cheddar, Brie and Stilton. The overall best match was Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout with Brie!

Don't just take our word for it, check it out for yourself!

Pictured, Wye Valley brewer Tucker, talking about his favourite thing, Beer!
Thank you to Camilla Adams for her photos, www.camillaadams.co.uk

Award winning pubs!

2011-05-19T09:29:00.003+01:00

We just wanted to say congratulations to our customers who have recently won the following CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011 awards:

Clytha Arms, Gwent CAMRA Country Pub winner
Hop Pole, Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA Pub winner
Gwaelod y Garth Inn, Cardiff CAMRA Pub winner
The Star Inn, Brecknockshire CAMRA Pub winner
Kinver Constitutional Club, CAMRA National Club of the Year

Dorothy Sets Sail!

2011-05-16T08:31:00.001+01:00

Dorothy is getting geared up to set sail to Saint Petersburg along with her Imperial Stout on The Great Baltic Adventure…

On Saturday 14th May Dorothy Goodbody’s Imperial Stout is one of 14 beers which will set sail on the 60ft clipper, Thermopylae, from the Thames through the Baltic to arrive in Saint Petersburg in June.

This journey is a celebration of the Imperial Russian Stout heritage. Mini beer festivals will be held along the way, but the casks of Imperial Stout will be unbroached until they reach Saint Petersburg. On her journey Dorothy will visit Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki.

Wye Valley Brewery brewed Dorothy Goodbody’s Imperial Stout in 2010 to celebrate its 25th year of brewing, said brewery Managing Director Vernon Amor ‘We are really excited to be sending Dorothy on The Great Baltic Adventure, and we’re the only brewery in the West Midlands to be setting sail. A trip like this hasn’t been attempted for centuries so it’s a unique opportunity to export some of our finest Dorothy Goodbody’s Imperial Stout.

On arrival in Saint Petersburg, there will be a beer festival and beer judging to celebrate a trip which has not been attempted for 200 years.

Pictured brewery Chairman Peter Amor, in the mini as he whisks Dorothy off to London for her trip to Saint Petersburg.

Gold, Silver and Bronze for Wye Valley Brewery

2011-05-16T08:25:00.002+01:00

At the recent SIBA Wales & West Region Beer Competition 2011, Wye Valley Brewery came away with 1 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze award for the quality of its beers. Dorothy Goodbody’s Country Ale cruised home with Gold in the Premium Strong Bitters category.

Country Ale has a strong pedigree at this event after scooping Gold in 2009, and in 2010 going on to win the Champion Strong Ale at the SIBA National Beer Competition.

The judging took place at the Ludlow Spring Festival last weekend where over 200 beers were entered. Along with the gold, Wye Valley Brewery was also awarded three silvers for bottled beers HPA, Dorothy Goodbody’s Wholesome Stout and Dorothy Goodbody’s Country Ale. In addition, Wye Valley Bitter was also awarded bronze in the standard strength bitters category.

Said Head Brewer Jimmy Swan, ‘We have just celebrated our busiest ever month in April, and following on from a fantastic 25th year in 2010 when the brewery won BBC Radio 4 Best Drinks Producer, Wye Valley looks set for another record year! ‘

Dorothy Goodbody’s Country ale is a strong, full-bodied rugby ale. It is available as a bottle conditioned beer, and can be enjoyed on its own or with a tasty beef casserole!

Pictured the team of brewers and production staff at Wye Valley Brewery

Hop Pole celebrates!

2011-05-12T17:03:00.000+01:00

The Hop Pole in Droitwich are celebrating after winning Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011. They will now go through to the next stage of the competition to be judged against others in their region. Good luck Tim and all at The Hop Pole!

Wye Valley Brewery Raceday...

2011-05-06T09:39:00.002+01:00

...the best yet!

We were so pleased to have the sun on our backs at the 5th Wye Valley Brewery Raceday at Hereford Racecourse on Thursday 28th April. It was a record breaker with over 2,000 racegoers!

Races were sponsored by Wye Valley Brewery and their pubs, The Barrels and The Morgan.

If you were unable to attend this year, keep an eye out for other events in 2011...there is plenty to keep you busy!

Quizzers battle it out

2011-04-21T16:20:00.005+01:00

On the 17th April the best brains in the county battled it out in the Wye Valley Brewery Knockout Final at The Barrels in Hereford!

Pub teams have been competing in the Knockout Cup and Plate competition since the quiz league kicked off in October. Competing in the Cup Final were The Dog from Ewyas Harold and The Angel from Grosmont. The Dog were victorious with an excellent score of 83 out of a possible 92, The Angel were respectable runners up with a score of 67.

The Bell at Tillington and The Travellers Rest at Stretton Sugwas competed in the Plate Final. The Bell won with a score of 71 to The Travellers Rest's 64.

A great competition, we look forward to seeing the teams back for the 2011/12 season!

Pictured: Cup Winners The Dog from Ewyas Harold collecting their trophy from Quizmaster Peter Amor from Wye Valley Brewery

Beer tax rise is ‘kick in the teeth’ says Wye Valley Brewery

2011-03-24T16:25:00.000Z

The increase of two per cent above inflation in beer tax, announced in today’s Budget, is ‘ruinous’ to the nation’s thriving local brewing sector, ignores its contribution to the economy and puts thousands of jobs in breweries and pubs in jeopardy, says Vernon Amor of Wye Valley Brewery, Herefordshire.

Vernon said, “This is a real kick in the teeth to the local brewing sector, one of the few British success stories of recent years. Local brewers are just the kind of business this government says it wants to see prosper: they create jobs for local people and contribute to the local and wider British economy by using home-grown ingredients. Yet the current beer taxation regime is killing off our main route to market – the British pub.”

He continued, “The Treasury claimed before the Budget that their beer duty escalator is ‘baked in’. We say it is half baked! Continuing to increase taxes on draught beer, drunk in the socially responsible environment of the pub, will serve only to increase purchases of cheap vodka for unsupervised home consumption. We fail to see how this policy can help tackle binge drinking.”

Wye Valley Brewery is a member of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), which represents around 450 craft brewers across Britain. SIBA, and its members, have campaigned vigorously against the Government’s ‘duty escalator’, which increases beer duty by 2% above inflation every year.

Cardiff CAMRA Pub of the Year

2011-03-14T11:44:00.002Z

Congratulations to the Gwaelod y Garth Inn who have just won Cardiff CAMRA Pub of the Year. A well deserved accolade for Richard and Barbara and their lovely welcoming pub. The pub enjoys lovely views and serves great food and great beer - including Wye Valley Bitter a permanently on the bar - and we warmly recommend a visit.

Campaign Ale gets brewing with local CAMRA

2011-02-17T10:25:00.003Z

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of CAMRA on 16th March, we have created an all-time classic IPA in association with our local CAMRA branch.
The CAMRA members chose a generously hopped recipe with a characterful bitter flavour and Bramling Cross and Celeia in the Hopback for a pronounced floral hop aroma. In addition, to make this recipe more special, further Celeia hops are added in a muslin bag into the fermentation vessel to diffuse even more essential hop oils for a superbly developed hop profile. CAMRA members were onsite at the Brewery to participate with the mashing-in.
Campaign Ale will be available in Cask as our monthly special in March at 5.0% ABV.

Ark Ale Launched for Noah's Ark Trust

2011-02-15T17:09:00.004Z

Wye Valley Brewery has launched a premium amber ale to support Noah’s Ark Trust – a local charity that provides grief support service for children,
young people and their families after the death of mum, dad or someone else close.

Cask conditioned Ark Ale will be available in good pubs across the region during February with Wye Valley Brewery donating 10p for every pint sold. In addition, a special bottle-conditioned Ark Ale is being launched to be on sale for 2011 from Wye Valley Brewery shop and other selected stockists, with Wye Valley Brewery donating 5p for every bottle sold.

Vernon comments, “Noah’s Ark Trust does such important work supporting bereaved families in the local area, we wanted to support them as our charity partner for the brewery this year. We thought we should start our fundraising with the thing we do best – so we’ve brewed them a special beer, amber in colour to match the charity’s characteristic orange.”

2010 CAMRA West Midlands Beer of the Year Awards

2011-01-12T16:19:00.002Z

Wye Valley Brewery rounded 2010 off in style collecting 4 medals at the 2010 CAMRA West Midlands Beer of the year awards.
Dorothy Goodbody's Golden Ale, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout and Wye Valley Bitter all came away with Bronze medals in their categories and Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale scored a Silver for Bottled Beer of the Year.

‘Moreish’ Wye Valley Brewery Wins at the BBC Food and Farming Awards!

2010-11-26T10:12:00.001Z

At a star studded awards ceremony taking place at the BBC Good Food Show, Birmingham NEC, Wye Valley Brewery, has been awarded the inaugural Best Drinks Producer award at the BBC Food and Farming Awards 2010. This was the first year a Drinks Producer category had been included in the awards and it received a flood of entries but it was cask beer that took centre stage as Wye Valley Brewery was recognised as Best Drinks Producer from all types of drink producers nominated from across the country.

The BBC Food and Farming Awards have been described as ‘the Oscars’ of the food world. The awards ceremony was presented by Sheila Dillon, from the Radio 4 Food Programme. Chefs Raymond Blanc and former Blur member turned cheese maker Alex James also made guest appearances. However the real star of the show were the fantastic food and drink celebrated at the event and the passionate producers behind them.

Vernon Amor, Wye Valley Brewery Managing Director accepted the award from Oz Clarke. Vernon commented ‘We are really thrilled to receive this prestigious award. Our brewery is a traditional family business and this year we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Receiving this award in recognition of all our hard work and care producing great beers for real ale lovers in our region is definitely the highlight of a great year!’

The judges were impressed by Wye Valley Brewery’s commitment to selecting local Herefordshire hops, their dedication to quality through traditional production methods, plus their support of pubs and links with the local community. Showing that cask ale is every bit as complex in flavour as fine wine, the judges commented that you could taste the local terroir in Wye Valley beers and also praised their ‘moreishness!’

The awards programme will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 9am on November 26th. For more information about the BBC Food and Farming Awards, see www.bbc.co.uk/foodawards.

Looking forward to some festive cheer...

2010-11-09T15:36:00.004Z

Our cask special Christmas brew is named ‘Christmas Whiskers’ in honour of the charity beard our drayman Andy Jones grew to raise money for St Michael's Hospice this time last year. The pump clip features Andy sporting his charity whiskers and a rather festive red suit and hat. This 4.5% ABV beer is a copper coloured best bitter. Full bodied and satisfying with a spicy blackcurrant finish, it is perfect to be enjoyed with all your favourite Christmas pies and puddings. Roll on December - we can't wait to tuck in!

New Venue Proved Great Success for 2010 Birmingham Beer Festival

2010-11-04T17:09:00.002Z

The new venue for this year's Birmingham Beer Festival proved a fantastic success and was well received by all the visitors. 206 ales and 40 ciders sold through almost down to the last pint and the festival managed to raise an impressive surplus in excess of £1,500 for CAMRA's ongoing campaigning work supporting community pubs and promoting real ale. Approximately 70% of visitors through the doors were non-CAMRA members so this is a great event to bring real ale to the attention of a wider audience. The Wye Valley Team had a great time at our popular bar. The event organisers promise to be back at 2nd City next year and for years to come and we'll certainly be there too!

Best Drinks Producer award for Wye Valley Brewery!

2010-11-04T17:01:00.004Z

Wye Valley Brewery scooped best Drink Producer at the Flavours of Herefordshire Awards 2011. Our Herefordshire roots remain extremely important to us, so we were thrilled to receive this award in our 25th Aniversary year! It added an extra celebratory vibe to our presence at the Flavours of Herefordshire Food Festival and we were able to raise a glass with plenty of our loyal followers over the course of the weekend.

Salutation Inn at Ham - CAMRA South West Pub of the Year!

2010-11-04T16:30:00.004Z

Congratulations to the Salutation Inn at Ham for being named CAMRA South West Pub of the Year. Despite being publicans for only 3 years, Don and Sue have clearly got the knack of what it takes to run a great pub. This cosy country pub is dedicated to offering a regularly refreshed selection of local real ales - in which Wye Valley Brewery's HPA and our monthly special cask beers are regularly featured. The Salutation Inn now goes on to the 'Super regional' stages of the CAMRA Pub of Year and we wish them the very best of luck!

Raise a glass with us at the Birmingham Beer Festival

2010-10-12T10:39:00.004+01:00

As a main sponsor, Wye Valley Brewery are providing the festival glasses for the Birmingham Beer Festival 2010 so come and raise a glass or 2 with us in Brum Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th October.

With a new venue this year, at Second City Suite, 100 Sherlock Street (just 5 minutes walk from Birmingham New Street station) the event promises to be bigger and better than ever before with over 200 real ales. So plenty of choice and variety for real ale lovers but don't miss the Wye Valley Brewery Bar where you can enjoy all-time favourites HPA and Butty Bach plus our Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout and her sensational seasonal offerings - Autumn Delight and Big Bang!

Both our favourite Julies will be behind the bar pulling pints and dispensing Wye Valley wisdom. We look forward to seeing you there.

See the festival website for more information about tickets, the venue, bands etc see the festival website www.birminghambeerfestival.co.uk

Wye Valley Brewery Selected for Finals of BBC Food and Farming Awards

2010-10-12T10:16:00.002+01:00

Wye Valley Brewery has been named a finalist in the BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards 2010 - ‘the Oscars of the food world’ - in the new Best Drinks Producer category.

The BBC team from Radio 4’s Food Programme was looking for inspirational drinks producers bringing new ideas to the market whilst keeping old traditions alive. As a traditional family owned brewery, dedicated to producing the finest quality cask ales yet none the less passionate about exciting new recipes and ingredients, Wye Valley Brewery impressed the judges and has been selected as just one of 3 national finalists in its category.

2010 is our brewery's 25th anniversary year and to celebrate we realised our dream of a truly local beer using both our local Herefordshire hops plus, uniquely, Herefordshire Barley through a special project with a local farmer. This very special brew of Imperial Stout was launched in bottles as a limited edition from as part of the Dorothy Goodbody range.

Vernon Amor, MD comments ‘We are really thrilled to make it to the final of this prestigious award. At Wye Valley Brewery we’re dedicated to brewing the finest beers using top quality ingredients form local growers. These awards are a fantastic platform to help spread the word about our real ales and the passion and care that goes into them.’

The judges will be visiting the brewery in Stoke Lacy shortly to find out more about the brewery, their links to the local community and what makes the finished product so special.

The awards themselves will be announced on 24th November at an awards ceremony on November 24th at the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham. The event, hosted by Sheila Dillon, presenter of The Food Programme, will feature chefs Raymond Blanc and Mark Hix and former Blur member turned cheese maker, Alex James. The awards programme will be broadcast on Radio 4 at 9am on November 26th.

For more information about the BBC Food and Farming Awards, see www.bbc.co.uk/foodawards.

Ludlow Food Festival 2010

2010-09-13T13:57:00.004+01:00

We have just returned from another great weekend at Ludlow Food Festival. We sold out of HPA and Butty Bach on Saturday, and had to bring in extra beer to get us through Sunday!

The Real Ale Trail, sponsored by Wye Valley Brewery was as popular as ever. Thank you to everyone who visited us and told us how much they love our beer!

We look forward to Abergavenny Food Festival this weekend, and hope the weather is kind to us... if you are in the area, do come and see us!

Gearing up for Ludlow Food Festival 2010

2010-09-07T08:09:00.002+01:00

Wye Valley Brewery is preparing to spend the weekend at the fantastic Ludlow Food Festival! It takes place from Friday 10th September to Sunday 12th September at Ludlow Castle.

There are plenty of events to get involved in, from the Real Ale Trail, sponsored by Wye Valley Brewery, to the famous Ludlow Sausage Trail.

For more information visit www.foodfestival.co.uk

Come along and visit the Wye Valley Brewery bar for a pint of your favourite beer!

Real Ale & Real Music Racenight

2010-08-19T08:22:00.003+01:00

Last night, brewery staff and customers enjoyed Hereford's first Real Ale & Real Music Racenight! The event, which took place at Hereford Racecourse, marked 25 years of Wye Valley Brewery. Our charity partner Riding for the Disabled Hereford were also present, along with our special Wye Valley Brewery Mini, which attracted much attention!

Berkeley Jenner Festival

2010-08-09T09:01:00.002+01:00

On Saturday Wye Valley Brewery customer, The Salutation at Ham, had a storming day at the Berkeley Jenner Festival. The festival was held in the Market Square in Berkeley and one of their best selling beers was our HPA!

Real Ale & Real Music Racenight - supported by Wye Valley Brewery

2010-07-28T08:22:00.003+01:00

3 weeks today Wye Valley Brewery will be celebrating 25 years of brewing quality beer. The Real Ale & Real Music Racenight at Hereford Racecourse takes place on Wednesday 18th August, first race is 5.40pm and after racing enjoy music from 2U, a U2 tribute band.

You can book on to the exclusive Wye Valley Brewery package through your local pub, or by phoning Hereford Racecourse on 01432 273560. This is Hereford's first evening race meeting and promises to be a great event!

Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale, named best beer in Herefordshire

2010-07-09T15:16:00.004+01:00

Herefordshire CAMRA have crowned Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale, Herefordshire's Best Beer!

Herefordshire CAMRA made this announcement at Beer on the Wye, their annual beer festival at Hereford Rowing Club. The festival takes place this weekend, Friday 9th July - Sunday 11th July.

For more information about Beer on the Wye visit www.herefordcamra.org.uk

Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale was also awarded Gold at the SIBA Wales and West Beer Competition, which was held at the Ludlow Spring Festival in May.

The Britannia, Official Opening

2010-07-05T10:27:00.003+01:00

On Saturday we were joined by Jesse Norman MP for the official opening of Wye Valley Brewery's newest pub, The Britannia.

Landlord Jason and landlady Jessica were given a helping hand behind the bar by Jesse Norman MP.

Photo shows Jesse Norman MP, Jessica, Jason and Peter Amor.

Turks Head Golf Day

2010-06-23T11:22:00.004+01:00

The Turks Head Golf Day which took place on Friday 11th June was a great success.

In total the Turks Head, Alcester raised £2,000, which will be split between Macmillan Nurses and Breast Cancer Care UK.

Wye Valley Brewery entered a team, made up of four of our lovely customers, see photo, left to right, Stuart from Kenilworth Golf Club, Guy from Apres, Julie, Wye Valley Brewery, Peter from Kings Heath Cricket Club and Jim from Edmunds Bar, Birmingham. Thanks to these guys for taking part and well done to The Turks Head for holding such a great day.

Jimmy completes Ride Across Britain

2010-06-21T09:17:00.003+01:00

Last week Wye Valley Brewery Head Brewer Jimmy Swan, cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End along with James Cracknell and 498 others.

Jimmy’s cycle finished yesterday (Sunday 20th June), he covered over 1000 miles and completed the cycle in a fantastic 67 hours, 41 minutes and 42 seconds. To date, Jimmy has raised about £1,700 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

See attached photo of Jimmy Swan with daughter Anna at the Land’s End finish line.

Emma's awards evening

2010-06-18T16:49:00.002+01:00

Wye Valley Brewery sales administrator Emma Jenkins is celebrating after achieving her NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration.

Emma attended an awards night at Hereford Group Training on 2nd June to collect her certificate.

Congratulations Emma!

Jimmy's Ride Across Britain

2010-06-18T16:20:00.003+01:00

This week Wye Valley's Head Brewer Jimmy Swan is cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End, with James Cracknell and 498 others. The ride is 1000 miles in 9 days with a total vertical ascent of more than 22,000 metres!

Jimmy is raising money for a special cause, Birmingham Children's Hospital. We had news last night that Jimmy had made it 682 miles in 6 days.

We wish Jimmy all the best with the final part of his trip. If you would like sponsor Jimmy or to stay updated visit http://www.justgiving.com/jimboswan

Pictured Jimmy, Anna and Gill

Terri celebrates 20 years

2010-06-18T14:04:00.003+01:00

Wye Valley Brewery's longest serving member of staff celebrated 20 years service this week!

Terri French has been Finance Manager at Wye Valley Brewery for the last twenty years and celebrated in style on Wednesday with cake, champagne and chocolates!

Vernon Amor, Managing Director at the brewery, thanked Terri for all her hard work over the years, saying '...we wouldn't be where we are today without you.'

See photo for Terri's celebratory cake

Trio of Golds for Herefordshire Brewer

2010-05-27T08:54:00.001+01:00

Peter Amor, Chairman of Wye Valley Brewery was delighted to come away from the SIBA Wales and West 2010 Beer Competition with three gold awards for his brewery’s beers.

The competition was held at the Ludlow Spring Festival in May, which celebrated great beers, bangers and bread.

Wye Valley Bitter, Dorothy Goodbody’s Golden Ale and Dorothy Goodbody’s Country Ale were awarded gold in their classes, and Dorothy Goodbody’s Country Ale, a 6.0% ruby ale, went on to win Overall Gold in the Bottled Beer category.

The Herefordshire brewer made a major investment 18 months ago, when they installed a state of the art bottling facility, giving them total control over the bottling of their beers.

Said Peter Amor, ‘We are always delighted to receive awards for our beers especially when judged by our peers, but these carry extra significance as they are a ‘stamp of quality’ for our new bottling line. We aim to gain more business in the future by offering to bottle beer for other brewers’

Pictured Peter Amor, Chairman of Wye Valley Brewery, in the bottling facility with his award winning Dorothy Goodbody’s Country Ale.

Award winning pub

2010-05-24T13:56:00.003+01:00

Wye Valley Brewery would like to congratulate The Saulation at Ham on winning Gloucestershire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2010.

Don and Sue, who have been stocking beers from Wye Valley Brewery for a number of years, are delighted to have been crowned Pub of the Year for Gloucestershire.

Wye Valley's Sales Manager John Gardner was able to attend their presentation night, and is pictured above with Don and Sue.

Record growth stimulates further investment in quality

2010-05-05T15:10:00.000+01:00

Product quality lies at the heart of Wye Valley Brewery’s values, so with record sales and growth this year the 25 year old business has created another new job: Quality Assurance Supervisor.

Val Williams comes with plenty of experience in this field, having spent 15 years in the laboratories at Cargill Meats Hereford, and 14 years at Bulmers previous to that. Val’s appointment is an important part of Wye Valley Brewery’s continued growth.

The laboratory at Wye Valley Brewery will be improved, enabling Val to carry out microbiological testing which is currently outsourced.

Said Vernon Amor, managing director of Wye Valley Brewery, ‘Having an experienced microbiologist like Val on board strengthens our commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of product quality and customer service. We are delighted that she has joined us at this exciting period of expansion.’

Other developments at the brewery include the installation of two extra fermenting vessels which will increase capacity by 34%, and a new automated cask ale filling system for the safe handling of casks.

In addition the brewery is now undertaking contract bottling for other breweries.

Tewkesbury Food Festival

2010-05-04T10:09:00.003+01:00

This weekend we enjoyed the 6th Tewkesbury Food Festival. There was plenty to see and taste and the Wye Valley Brewery stand was busy as expected!

Fortunately the rain stayed away and visitors braved the chilly weather. Butty Bach went down very well as usual, along with a lot of interest in our Dorothy Goodbody's Imperial Stout.

Pictured the Wye Valley Brewery stand

Wye Valley Brewery Raceday 2010

2010-05-04T09:44:00.003+01:00

A BUMPER crowd attended the annual Wye Valley Brewery horse racing day at Hereford Racecourse.

There were well over 2,000 people in attendance on Thursday 29 April and those present were able to see some of the champions of the modern era, including 15 times champion jockey Tony McCoy who won two races.

Richard Holland, Hereford Racecourse’s General Manager, said: “Wye Valley Brewery raceday is becoming an increasingly popular occasion every spring, and the crowds are getting bigger year after year.”

Picture ahows Red Lion at Bobbington enjoying their day at the races.

We now look forward to the Real Ale and Real Music Racenight supported by Wye Valley Brewery on Wednesday 18th August at Hereford Racecourse, where we will celebrate our 25th anniversary.

Dorothy Goodbody's Imperial Stout to celebrate 25 years

2010-04-28T08:14:00.003+01:00

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Herefordshire’s Wye Valley Brewery, Head Brewer Jimmy Swan has crafted a unique new beer: Dorothy Goodbody’s Imperial Stout.

This limited edition, bottle-conditioned Imperial Stout is brewed with Herefordshire’s finest hops and Herefordshire malted barley, making it a truly local beer!

Wye Valley Brewery’s ‘Herefordshire barley project’ was launched on 10th October 2008 when the classic barley variety ‘Maris Otter’ was planted at Upper Derndale Farm, in Canon Pyon. The barley was harvested on 25th July 2009, and malting followed at Warminster Maltings. The resulting ‘Dorothy Goodbody’s Imperial Stout’ is the brewery’s first beer to contain all Herefordshire hops and Herefordshire barley.

This 7.0% dark silky beer has sweet vanilla and toffee flavours, which give way to a delicate lingering hoppy character. The result is a warming, rich, full-bodied stout that will improve with age.

Only 6,000 bottles have been produced and every bottle of Dorothy Goodbody’s Imperial Stout should be slowly savoured, to celebrate 25 years of brewing quality beers.

Herefordshire based design company P & R Design Ltd, were responsible for the attractive packaging design.

Wye Valley Brewery started its 25th year on a high, with the launch of its popular cask beer HPA, in bottled format. A number of events are planned, the main event being a race night at Hereford Racecourse in August where customers and staff will celebrate the brewery’s 25th anniversary in style with real music and real ale!

The Barrels Three Peaks Challenge

2010-04-27T10:41:00.003+01:00

A few hardy, ale-supping Herefordians are banding together to do the 3 highest peaks in the UK in 24 hours. Each peak represents 3 amazing charities: NSPCC, MacMillan Nurses and Riding for the Disabled, Hereford.

These hardy, ale-supping Herefordians are a group from Wye Valley Brewery pub, The Barrels, Hereford. They will start their challenge on Thursday 8th July and will complete on Friday 9th July.

On Sunday 30th May there will be a fundraising night at The Barrels, 69 St Owen St, Hereford, with a band, pig roast, and a prize draw.

For more information and to find out how to sponsor visit The Barrels Three Peaks Challenge on Facebook. Alternatively enquire with Lizzie at the brewery.

Morgan visits Brewery

2010-04-16T08:07:00.003+01:00

Morgan enthusiast Chris Towner from the USA dropped in to visit us at the brewery yesterday. On his last trip to the UK, during Morgan's Centenary Year, Chris enjoyed a swift half or two in Wye Valley Brewery's newest pub, The Morgan, in Malvern.

Chris is pictured outside the brewery with his Morgan, we look forward his next visit later in the year.

Easter 7's fun

2010-04-06T08:40:00.002+01:00

The annual Wye Valley Brewery Easter 7's at Luctonians Rugby Club was held on Easter Sunday this year. Fortunately the weather stayed dry and the teams enjoyed a bit of healthy competition, the girls team gave everyone a run for their money!

Winners of the £150 prize money were The Immigrants, a Luctonians based team, and runners up were Top Guns from Hartpury College.

Kilverts Cask Ale Week Celebrations

2010-03-30T14:54:00.004+01:00

Wye Valley Brewery Chairman Peter Amor enjoyed a celebratory evening at Kilverts, Hay on Wye last night. It was a celebration of our national drink, cask ale! The lovely ladies who work at Kilverts got involved by dressing up as our very own Dorothy Goodbody.

Peter was able to thank Kilverts for their support and went on to give a brief history of Dorothy Goodbody. He even treated drinkers to some extracts from the 'cheeky' Dorothy Goodbody stories!

Pictured Peter with the real life Dorothy's, from left to right, Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout, Dorothy Goodbody's Golden Ale and Dorothy Goodbody's Winter Tipple!

Land Rover Day 2010

2010-03-29T10:08:00.004+01:00

On Saturday 27th March The Severn Valley Leafers ventured over to Wye Valley Brewery, for our third Land Rover day. We had over 25 Land Rovers on site, and the weather almost held out for us!

Visitors enjoyed a trip around the brewery and a pint or two of The Best 4x4, our Land Rover inspired beer. Fortunately, there's plenty of space in the back of a Land Rover, so our 4x4 friends were able to stock up on their favourite beers!

HPA listed in The Ten Best Beers

2010-03-25T12:12:00.003Z

In today's Independent, HPA has been listed in 'The Ten Best Beers', named by Roger Protz, author of '300 Beers to Try before you Die' and beer-pages.com.

To see the feature have a look in today's (Thursday 25th March) Independent Life, or visit, www.independent.co.uk/indybest

HPA was launched in January 2010 to celebrate 25 years of Wye Valley Brewery, already a well established cask brand, the bottled version is selling well. To try some for yourself, pop along to our shop at the brewery in Stoke Lacy, or visit our online shop.

Not that we are biased but we agree with Roger, it is one of the best beers and would make the perfect accompaniment to your Easter lunch!

HPA, 4.0% abv, is a delightful straw coloured ale with a wonderful hop aroma.

Riding for the Disabled, Charity for 2010

2010-03-22T14:26:00.003Z

Herefordshire RDA (Riding for the Disabled) have been selected as Wye Valley Brewery's Charity for 2010. Founded as a National organisation in 1969, RDA now has 500 Member Groups across the UK.

Through the commitment of volunteers, RDA enables people with disabilities to ride or carriage drive to benefit their health and wellbeing and to achieve their goals.

Wye Valley Brewery aims to assist Herefordshire RDA with fundraising and hopes create additional opportunities for them to increase their profile.

If you are interested in donating to this worthwhile charity, please contact Lizzie at the brewery on 01885 490505. There are many ways to help, from sponsoring a pony or a stable to donating your spare pennies! Or you could become a volunteer.

Herefordshire RDA will be attending our racedays at Hereford Racecourse and we have collecting tins in our pubs, so please donate if you can.

The photo shows Bobby doing dressage with a rider, Bobby is sponsored by Majesticare Luxury Care Homes.

Morgan visits The Morgan

2010-03-22T13:12:00.003Z

Friend of Wye Valley Brewery Chris Towner from across the pond decided to do up his beloved Morgan (which he had owned for 35 years), and bring it over the the UK, in time for the Morgan Centenary Celebrations in June 2009.

During his visit in his 1966 Morgan 4/4, he paid a visit to Wye Valley Brewery's newest pub, The Morgan in Malvern. Chris parked the car in its rightful place outside the pub, and doesn't it look at home!

Chris looks forward to his next visit in the not too distant future!

Wye Valley Brewery Quiz, Knockout Finals!

2010-03-22T12:57:00.003Z

On Sunday 21st March The Barrels, Hereford hosted the Wye Valley Brewery Quiz Knockout Cup and Plate Finals.

Playing in the Cup were The Dog from The Dog Inn at Ewyas Harold and The Talbot Terriers from The Talbot in Ledbury. Playing in the Plate Final were The Saracen's from The Saracen's Head, Hereford and Dynamo Dilwyn from The Crown at Dilwyn.

After a well fought battle The Dog were victorious in the Knockout Cup and The Saracen's won the Plate Final, with a great score.

Pictured winning team member from The Dog receiving the trophy from Wye Valley Brewery Chairman Peter Amor.

Salutation scoops Pub of the Year

2010-03-18T07:28:00.003Z

The Salutation at Ham in Gloucestershire has been crowned CAMRA Dursley & District Pub of the Year 2010. Wye Valley Brewery's John Gardner and Dennis Gwatkin, from Gwatkin's Cider, attended the presentation night. Congratulations to all at The Salutation!

Award Winning Crown at Pantygelli!

2010-03-17T12:00:00.004Z

The popular Crown at Pantygelli has been awarded Country Pub of the Year by Gwent CAMRA. Steve and Cherrie Chadwick run the thriving pub and restaurant, which is situated in a quiet spot between the Sugarloaf and Skirrid mountains. It's definitely worth a visit, and you will find HPA on tap! Well done to Steve and Cherrie for all their hard work.

The Crown at Pantygelli can be found on the Old Hereford Road about 2 miles beyond Abergavenny.

Dave's trip to Alaska!

2010-03-17T11:41:00.003Z

Last year Dave Powell and his partner made their way around Seattle and Alaska. They took some bottles of Dorothy Goodbody's with them, which they generously shared with people they met. They were kind enough to send us some photos! In this one Dave is at Tolovana Dome, which is 2 hours North of Fairbanks, Alaska. They accessed the area via snowmachine and experienced a wind chill of about -30 deg C!! We have it on good authority that the Alaskan people enjoyed Dorothy's beers!

Birthday Cake!

2010-03-09T07:53:00.004Z

Chairman Peter Amor, with Emma, Rhiannon and Carey, doing the all important duty of cutting our birthday cake.

The cake was made by Charlotte, from Cake Creations in Bromyard. All the staff were in agreement, the cake was lovely!

Well Done!

2010-03-08T10:32:00.006Z

Congratulations to Wye Valley Brewery employees, Emma Jenkins, Matt Ingram and Sean Tobin. As well as carrying out their usual duties for the brewery, they have also spent the last 12 months studying.

Emma, who is a Sales Administrator has gained an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration. Matt who is Racking Team Leader and Sean who is Bottling Team Leader have both gained an ILM Level 3 in Management.

Well done Em, Sean and Matt!

Pictured from left, Sean Tobin, Emma Jenkins and Matt Ingram

25 TODAY!

2010-03-08T07:40:00.002Z

We are 25 today! Happy Birthday to us!!

The photo shows brewery Chairman Peter Amor, mashing in on our 25th birthday. Peter has now retired to the kitchen to cook breakfast for all the staff at the brewery. We even have birthday cake, which we will enjoy whilst reflecting on 25 years of brewing quality beers!

Dorothy brings home more awards!

2010-03-05T17:49:00.003Z

Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale has just been awarded SIBA Champion Strong Ale AND Silver in the SIBA Champion of Champions!

The announcement was made today at the SIBA Annual Brewing Conference, at Stratford.

During 2009 Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale was awarded Silver at the International Beer Challenge and Gold at the SIBA Wales & West competition, Strong Ales category.

As a SIBA winner, we will have a place on the SIBA Champions Bar at the Great British Beer Festival in London this summer, which is visited by over 60,000 people.

Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale is 6.0% abv and is described by Head Brewer Jimmy Swan as a strong, full-bodied ruby ale. If you would like to try this award winning beer it's available in bottle all year round and can be bought from our brewery shop in Stoke Lacy, or our online shop.

Pictured: Sarah Young of Award sponsor Lallemand UK Ltd presenting the Gold award to Wye Valley Brewery head brewer Jimmy Swan.

2010-02-15T08:09:00.002Z

On Friday we tucked in to some samples of the all new Butty Bach Steak & Gammon Pie! The samples went down a treat in the Wye Valley Brewery office and we look forward to these being available on the shelves of our local stores! More information to follow...these are definately worth keeping an eye out for!

HPA review!

2010-02-02T16:45:00.004Z

Roger Protz is one of the world's best known beer writers, and he has recently tasted and reviewed our new bottled beer HPA! To read his review, visit http://beer-pages.com/notes/beer-of-the-month-2010-02.shtml. Roger has named HPA his Beer of the Month for February and awarded it four stars! Roger has written 18 books about beer and pubs and he also edits CAMRA's Annual Good Beer Guide.

HPA launch party!

2010-01-27T10:00:00.002Z

To celebrate the launch of HPA in bottle, we threw a launch party on Monday night at The Barrels in Hereford. We were joined by Pete Brown, Beer Writer of the Year at the prestigious British Guild of Beer Writers Annual Awards 2009, who thinks it's a really great beer (he even named HPA his favourite beer of 2009!). We welcomed staff, customers and suppliers along and everyone was able to have a taste of our newest bottled beer.

The photo shows Pete Brown (right) and Peter Amor (Chairman of Wye Valley Brewery).

HPA to kick off 25th anniversary celebrations

2010-01-11T15:01:00.001Z

2010 will be the 25th year of brewing for Stoke Lacy based Wye Valley Brewery, and they plan to celebrate by brewing even more excellent beer.

Wye Valley Brewery has come a long way since Peter Amor started brewing in 1985 in the old stable block at The Barrels, Hereford. Since then the brewery has moved to Stoke Lacy, increased its tied estate and invested in a state of the art bottling facility.

Wye Valley Brewery will start its 25th year on a high, with the launch of its popular cask beer HPA, in bottled format. Numerous other events are planned including the release of a special Limited Edition bottled beer in March and a race night at Hereford Racecourse in August where customers and staff will celebrate the brewery’s 25th anniversary in style with real music and real ale! Also, the brewery’s Herefordshire barley project will be realised and the first all Herefordshire beer will be produced, using local hops and local barley.

Fundraising throughout the year will benefit the brewery’s selected charity for 2010, Riding for the Disabled.

Said Peter Amor, Chairman and founder of Wye Valley Brewery, ‘It is obviously very gratifying to have come this far. It really is a collective achievement and our success is down to the dedication of the whole team at the brewery.’

Brewery Invests in Feature Film

2009-12-11T14:34:00.005Z

Hereford’s Wye Valley Brewery is investing in A Stranger’s Smile. An independent feature film written and directed by Hereford born and based filmmaker Ian Hudson. The 90 minute film will be shot in HD Digital and go on national release in the autumn of 2010.

A Stranger's Smile is the story of our heroine Elicia, a photographer, who, while shooting a series of street portraits for an exhibition, encounters and photographs writer Aiden Dean. Intrigued by him she follows him to a cemetery where she sees him place flowers on a grave on which is the epitaph ‘Lizzie 1980 to 2008'. Elicia's curiosity draws the reclusive Aiden out of his private world, but by doing so she uncovers a haunting secret about the supposed suicide of his wife Lizzie. Elicia discovers that police detective Antony Myles is still investigating Lizzie's death, believing she was murdered. Also, a warning to Elicia not to get too close to Aiden from Lizzie's friend Martha, adds weight to her growing suspicions about Aiden's involvement in Lizzie's death. Elicia is determined to find out the truth, but her curiosity and her feelings for Aiden, places Elicia's life in jeopardy.

The film’s writer & director Ian Hudson: 'This is an important step towards getting the film made. I instinctively wrote the Wye Valley Brewery’s HPA and Dorothy Goodbody’s Wholesome Stout into the story. They are the drinks the central characters Elicia and Aiden drink on their first date. When I approached Peter Amor (Chairman of Wye Valley Brewery) and Vernon Amor (Managing Director of Wye Valley Brewery), to ask them if it was alright to name their products in the film I aroused their curiosity and they have brought the brewery on board as an official investor.’

Adding:
'I've been drinking Wye Valley Brewery beers all my adult life, they are the best beers I have every tasted. So this is a natural creative & business opportunity.'

Wye Valley Brewery Chairman Peter Amor: 'I have known Ian Hudson for over 20 years and have seen his career develop, always being impressed with his hard work and attention to detail. He is impressively dedicated to his craft. Having spent time with Ian discussing the project and learning of his vision for the film I am pleased to say that the Wye Valley Brewery is backing him in this venture; that I know will be a success.'

The films official website can be found at www.astrangerssmile.com.

Pictured left Peter Amor, right Ian Hudson.

Brewer for the Day

2009-12-07T13:55:00.003Z

The Cross Inn, near Maesteg has stocked Wye Valley Brewery beers, specifically Butty Bach for many years. As the product is so popular in their pub, they decided to come to the brewery and brew it for themselves!

The day started early with a 6am meet in the brewhouse for mashing in! Dai and Gill helped Paul with all stages of the brew and look forward to selling 'their' brew of Butty Bach in The Cross Inn, in the not too distant future!

Pictured Gill & Dai Morgan with Wye Valley Brewer Paul.

Flavours of Herefordshire Winner

2009-12-07T13:38:00.003Z

The Three Horseshoes Inn, Little Cowarne, recently won Pub of the Year at the Flavours of Herefordshire Awards 2009, this category was sponsored by Wye Valley Brewery.

Said Vernon Amor, MD of Wye Valley, ‘We are thrilled that The Three Horseshoes have won this award, it’s a great accolade for Norman, Janet and Phil. It’s an excellent pub serving top quality beer and food, well worth a visit. They have sold our beer since 2000 and it's still selling well today!’

Pictured left, Vernon Amor, MD of Wye Valley Brewery and Phil Whittall, Head Chef at The Three Horseshoes Inn, Little Cowarne, Nr Bromyard.

St Michael's Silver

2009-11-23T11:38:00.003Z

Vernon with Geraldine from St Michael's Hospice. During September we brewed St Michael's Silver, to mark 25 years of St Michael's Hospice, Hereford. Geraldine visited the brewery this morning to collect over £400. We donated 5p from every pint sold, thank you to everyone who bought a pint of St Michael's Silver!

Great News!

2009-11-18T14:52:00.004Z

Wye Valley Brewery are extending their shop opening hours for Christmas!

In addition to the usual Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm, we will also be open:

Saturday 5th December 10am - 3pm
Saturday 12th December 10am - 3pm
Saturday 19th December 10am - 3pm

We have lots of Christmas gift ideas, as well as our full range of fantastic beers.

Visit our brewery shop in Stoke Lacy Herefordshire, HR7 4HG.

Brewer for the Day

2009-11-16T08:46:00.002Z

Mike and James Herlihy spent Friday 13th November at Wye Valley Brewery as 'Brewers for the Day'. Mike was lucky enough to win the prize at Worcester CAMRA Beer Festival in August. Duty brewer was Jamie, and he really appreciated their help with brewing Butty Bach, which will later be bottled! Photo shows James and Mike with Wye Valley Brewer Jamie (centre).

Annual Wife Carrying Race

2009-11-11T09:57:00.003Z

On Sunday 8th November at Hereford Racecourse it wasn't only the horses who were racing! The annual Wife Carrying Race, sponsored by Wye Valley Brewery, created much interest. It was a quite a spectacle, Oliver Milligan and girlfriend Christina Davies from Ebbw Vale were victorious, winning their combined weight in Wye Valley beer. Photo shows winners with Vernon Amor from Wye Valley Brewery.

Success for Wye Valley at Industry Awards

2009-10-21T13:08:00.003+01:00

At the 2009 SIBA Brewing Business awards Wye Valley Brewery were delighted to come away, not only with Best Launch for their limited edition beer Morgan Centenary Ale, which celebrated Morgan Motor Company’s centenary year, but also Overall Winner for their continued commitment to the proactive marketing of their beers.

Well known beer writer Pete Brown presented Wye Valley Brewery with their overall award.

The following was announced by Pete Brown... 'In a departure from previous years, our overall winner for 2009 has not been chosen from one of the category winners alone. The winning brewery has indeed won a category with one of its entries, but the judges decided to combine that achievement with the undoubted quality of its other entries, in recognition of a wide-ranging and extremely impressive overall commitment to the proactive marketing that must be utilised to compliment the brewing of exceptional beer. This really does represent what the SIBA Brewing Business Awards stand for.'

In response to the awards Peter Amor, brewery chairman said, ‘It is incredibly pleasing and satisfying to know that 25 years of dedication from a wonderful team of people has resulted in recognition’.

Needless to say, we were really chuffed to win these awards!

Photo left to right, John Gardner, Wye Valley Brewery Sales Manager, Pete Brown, Beer Writer, Peter Amor Chairman of Wye Valley Brewery

Wye Valley Brewery celebrate growth and record sales

2009-10-21T12:59:00.001+01:00

In 2010 Wye Valley Brewery will celebrate their 25th year of brewing, but for now it is toasting record sales. Said Vernon Amor MD of Wye Valley: ‘Cask ale is the star performer in the UK beer market and pubs which offer excellent cask ales are riding the current economic climate far better than those which aren’t. We have grown like for like sales by 24% so far this year. It’s all about quality and provenance, people nowadays are interested in where their food and drink is made, what goes in to it and how far it has to travel before it reaches them. At Wye Valley Brewery we use top quality locally grown hops and have recently teamed up with a local farmer to grow our own Herefordshire barley. We are looking forward to brewing a true Herefordshire beer for our silver anniversary next year.’ Wye Valley Brewery currently employs 30 people and produces over 4.3 millions pints of beer annually. Next year will see major investment to increase capacity and create more local jobs.

Dorothy Goodbody goes for Silver!

2009-10-21T12:28:00.001+01:00

Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale, not long after being awarded Gold at the SIBA Wales and West Competition, has now achieved SILVER in the International Beer Challenge 2009. It seems that quality runs in the family! In 2008 Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout was crowned CAMRA Bottle Conditioned Beer of the Year! Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale is described by head brewer Jimmy Swan as a strong ruby ale bursting with rich malt flavours and hop bitterness. Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale is available in bottle all year round, if you haven't tried it you really are missing out on a taste sensation!

Move to lightweight for Herefordshire Brewer

2009-10-21T12:05:00.001+01:00

Less than a year ago, in November 2008, Wye Valley Brewery installed its own bottling line on site in Stoke Lacy. To become more environmentally friendly the brewery has now changed all bottled beer products over to lightweight bottles. The new bottles are 21% lighter than the previous format resulting in significant energy savings and will significantly lighten the load for delivery vehicles. There are other advantages of the lightweight bottle, the line is running faster than ever, at up to 3000 bottles per hour. In addition, shrink wrap weight has been reduced by 60% and cardboard and plastic recycling facilities are now in use across the site. Said Head Brewer Jimmy Swan, 'We are constantly looking for ways to improve our business and become more efficient. With our bottled beer sales increasing year on year changing over to lightweight bottles was an important move for us'. Two of Wye Valley’s bottled beer brands are available in Tesco regionally, Butty Bach and Dorothy Goodbody’s Golden Ale. Tesco’s Local Marketing Manager Enfys Fox commented… 'We are delighted to be stocking Wye Valley Ales which are extremely popular with our customers in our stores. It’s great to work with such an enthusiastic team at Wye Valley Brewery who are working very hard to progress their business'. Photo shows head brewer Jimmy Swan with our lovely new lighter bottles.