Racing at Ludlow

On Thursday 11th April we held Wye Valley Brewery Raceday at Ludlow Race Club. We welcomed over 1,200 people in to the Wye Valley Brewery marquee and served up HPA and Butty Bach!

The day flew by, and we are already looking forward to racing there in 2014!

CAMRA's Bottled Beer Guide

Wye Valley Brewery is pleased to announce that popular bottle-conditioned beer, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout appears on the front cover of the brand new CAMRA Good Bottled Beer Guide.

The brand-new edition of the Good Bottled Beer Guide is comprehensively updated and revised to cover the expansion of British brewing since 2009

The British brewing industry has seen explosive growth in the last five years. There are now well over 1000 breweries in operation in the UK and their bottle-conditioned products are widely available in pubs, online and on the high street. Inside this new edition, bottled beer expert Jeff Evans showcases the very best real ales in a bottle currently produced and the best places to buy them around the country.

The book is also packed with tasting notes, ingredients, brewery details and a glossary to help the reader understand more about the beers as they enjoy them.

For more information visit www.camra.org.uk/gbbg

Quiz Knock Out Cup & Plate Finals

The Knock Out Cup and Plate competition of the Wye Valley Brewery Quiz League culminated at the Barrels pub in Hereford on Sunday 7^th April.

The Barrels A team played in the Knock Out Cup competition against the Late Achievers of the Victory pub in Hereford. Scores for each round were extremely close, but in the end the Late Achievers won with a score of 122 to 118.

In the Plate competition the Litchfield Accies played the Bell B team but were beaten by 2 points with the end scores being 112 to 114. The winners were rewarded with well deserved prizes of beer, and a great time was had by all.

Grass roots sport gets a boost from two local companies

Hereford Roller Girls have announced a new sponsorship deal with two local businesses, Wye Valley Brewery and Wye Valley Brewery's flagship pub The Barrels.

Skaters from the club are celebrating after securing the sponsorship, which has helped the team's 2013 season get off to a great start.

Hereford Roller Girls is the first, and only, roller derby team in Herefordshire. They compete regularly against other teams from the UK, and the sponsorship will be used to buy much needed new uniforms.
 
Vernon Amor, managing director of Wye Valley Brewery could see potential in this local team, he commented: "Roller Derby looks like a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun, just like running a brewery! We pride ourselves in supporting local community based activities. Roller Derby is a feisty, fast-paced and exciting alternative sport, and we love the passion the Hereford Roller Girls have for Roller Derby."

Hereford Roller Girls formed in 2011 with a handful of skaters, and has now grown to a full team. This group of women, many of whom had never skated before, now practice three evenings a week. Skaters and volunteers have spent the last two years raising funds for the club, securing sponsorship from two businesses is a big boost to the team's morale. Hereford Roller Girl's Team Captain Dee Montague commented. "The sponsorship means a lot to the skaters, as it really shows that local businesses believe in what we do and want us to succeed."

The Barrels is Wye Valley Brewery's flagship pub, skater Kim Wild works for the pub and it was her enthusiasm for the sport that first interested the manager Philip Pryce. The team began to use the Barrels after their games and were delighted with the warm welcome shown by Philip and his team. The relationship between the organisations grew, and the pub wanted to join Wye Valley Brewery to become a sponsor. Philip commented: "It just seemed the natural thing to do to help with sponsorship."

For more information about Hereford Roller Girls, including their upcoming season and recruitment opportunities, visit www.herefordrollergirls.co.uk

Outstanding Contribution to the UK Brewing Industry

We are very proud to announce that Peter Amor, founder of Wye Valley Brewery has been awarded The SIBA (Society for Independent Brewers) Silver Tankard Award for Outstanding Contribution to the UK Brewing Industry.

Peter has been a part of and contributed to the British brewing industry for over 48 years. 

Peter's working life began in 1964 in the laboratory at Guinness’s Park Royal Brewery. In 1979 Peter moved to Hereford to work for H P Bulmer, the world's largest cider maker. Always a brewer at heart Peter left Bulmers in 1985, founded Wye Valley Brewery and became landlord of The Barrels in Hereford.

Peter has hosted several SIBA Wales & West Beer Competitions at The Barrels pub in Hereford, including  the first SIBA National Keg Beer Competition in 2011. Every year The Barrels holds a charity beer festival which has to date raised over £250,000 for local good causes, in 2012 The Barrels held its 25^th beer festival.

Peter has also been instrumental in supporting Herefordshire CAMRA with their beer festival, Beer on the Wye.

Today Wye Valley Brewery is a regional enterprise with a staff over 40 and 6 of its own pubs. Peter is still licensee at Barrels where you will find him serving up bar snacks to the regulars on Sunday lunchtimes, or reading the questions at the Thursday night quiz.  

In his own words ‘you should be in business to have fun and if you’re lucky you’ll make some money, but it is more important to have fun’.

 

Get #Courtlaughing as headliners are revealed

The Courtyard held a launch party for their 2013 #Courtlaughing Comedy festival (sponsored by Wye Valley Brewery) on Thursday 7 March at Wye Valley Brewery in Stoke Lacy. 

The launch saw staff at The Courtyard reveal this year’s festival headliners to press and invited guests local to Hereford. The festival is taking place from Friday 7 June until Sunday 9 and each night will see a big name comedian take to the stage.
 
On the Friday night, comedy veteran and Never Mind the Buzzcocks star Phill Jupitus will bring his new show, You’re Probably Wondering Why I Asked You Here to The Courtyard.  American ironist and no stranger to The Courtyard, Rich Hall takes the main spot on Saturday evening and emerging young comedian Josh Widdicombe will bring the festival to a close on Sunday evening.

Tickets for the headliners are available to book next week on the following dates: Phill Jupitus will be on sale on Tuesday 12^th March, Rich Hall tickets will be on sale on Wednesday 13^th March and Josh Widdicombe will be on sale on Thursday 14^th March; all from 11am.

For more information on the comedy festival, to book tickets, or if you have any queries regarding  contact the Box Office on 01432 340555 or visit www.courtyard.org.uk

Pictured: New Chief Executive of The Courtyard, Ian Archer enjoys the comedy performers at the #Courtlaughing launch.

Mother's Day

Sunday 10th March is Mother's Day, for gift ideas pop along to our brewery shop, weekdays 9.30am to 5pm.