Quite a few beer festivals happening across Wales this August, especially over the bank holiday weekend – here are a couple of the best ones:
Swansea Bay Beer Festival 2011 – 25th-27th August
Hosted by Swansea CAMRA, the Swansea Bay Beer Festival is a fantastic event taking place at Brangwyn Hall with more than 100 real ales, perries and ciders to sample. Also live music and freshly cooked food. £3 entry for CAMRA members, £5 non-members.
Bridge End Inn Beer Festival 2011 – 26th-29th August
For a beer festival in North Wales, the 2nd Bridge End Inn Beer Festival in Wrexham could be just the ticket! Another great Bank Holiday event that is free to enter, taking place all weekend, open from 12pm to 10:30pm every day. A glass/programme will cost you just £2.
Haverfordwest Beer, Cider , Perry & Local Produce Festival – 27th-28th August
Pembrokeshire beer & cider festival happening on August bank holiday weekend, with Haverfordwest Castle providing a spectacular venue for this great event. A family friendly event with activities to keep the kids entertained, live music, locally produced food and, of course, BEER!
There are also a good number of Welsh cider festivals on this month. I’m a huge real cider fan – there should be more cider festivals.
Gwynt Y Ddraig Open Day – 6th-7th August
This weekend, why not attend the Open Day at the farm of Welsh Cider & Perry producer Gwynt Y Ddraig in Pontypridd? They offer onsite camping so you can enjoy a wealth of ciders and perries over the whole weekend. With live music and a wonderful food selection – crepes and pasties amongst other things – and a cider mill demonstration. If you’d prefer not to camp there’s lots of alternative accommodation in Pontypridd itself.
International Craft Cider Festival 2011 – 13th-14th August
Cider festival at Llancaiach Fawr in Caerphilly for cider producers and enthusiasts alike, giving insight into how cider is made all over the world. There will be tutored tastings, demonstrations and lectures on all things cider, plus live music, and ciders from over 30 international cider producers, from England, Wales, Germany, Spain, France and Ireland. An absolutely spectacular event – find Caerphilly Accommodation for the International Craft Cider Festival.
Countryman Annual Cider Festival 2011 – 13th August
Always a big hit, the cider festival at the Countryman pub on the Gower peninsula is a real Welsh cider festival with a real local focus. Minibus transport is provided.
Lion Inn Perry and Cider Festival – 12th-14th August
Multi award winning Monmouthshire pub The Lion Inn in Trellech hosts its 3rd annual Perry and Cider Festival. With 16 ciders and perries on offer, and a token 4 real ales to try, and food from the BBQ. Live music on Friday and Saturday and open mic on Sunday. Rough camping is on offer, but there’s plenty of nearby accommodation in Monmouth if camping’s not for you.
