THE first ale and cider trail in Hereford will get underway later this month, with 12 pubs taking part in the weekend-long event.

Herefordshire's branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has organised the event, Not Quite Beer on the Wye.

It comes after the annual Beer on the Wye festival, usually held on the banks of the river Wye in Hereford, was cancelled for the second year in a row due to coronavirus.

Mark Haslam, from CAMRA, said all the participating pubs will be selling different real beers, and some ciders, in addition to their usual range.

The event will run from lunchtime on Friday, July 23 until close on Sunday, July 25.

The Vaga Tavern is the only pub south of the river participating, and he said entry to the pubs will remain free.

The starting pistol will be fired to officially open the weekend’s festivities when Hereford mayor Paul Stevens raises a pint glass at midday July 23 at the Beer in Hand pub in Eign Street, with Hereford City Council supporting the event.

Mr Haslam said: “Hopefully this pub-based Ale & Cider Trail will go some way to make good the disappointment felt by many due to our Beer on the Wye festival being cancelled again this year.

"Not only will it offer both locals and visitors a great opportunity to try different and unusual beers, ciders and perries, but it will give a much-needed boost to our city pubs – who’ve had a torrid 18 months to contend with during the Covid emergency.”

The participating pubs are:

  • Barrels, St Owen Street
  • Beer in Hand, Eign Street
  • Black Lion, Bridge Street,
  • Britannia, Cotterell Street
  • House of Cider, Buttermarket
  • Lichfield Vaults, Church Street,
  • Oxford Arms, Widemarsh Street,
  • Vaga Tavern, Vaga Street,
  • Volunteer Inn, Harold Street
  • Wellington, Widemarsh Street
  • Three Elms, Canon Pyon Road
  • Imperial, Widemarsh Street

"The genesis of this event came about after having to cancel our Beer on the Wye festival for a second consecutive year in 2021, owing to the restrictions that accompanied the Covid pandemic," the event flyer said.

"We know many of you were bitterly disappointed, as were we – the organisers, Herefordshire CAMRA.

"But, despite losing our wonderful riverside celebration of beer, cider and perry, we were absolutely determined to find a way to give the city its annual beer and cider fix.

"Thus it was, Not Quite Beer on the Wye was born."