Colwall pub features in county beer fest

9:39am Tuesday 1st July 2008

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THE Yew Tree Inn at Colwall is featured in a photographic exhibition being launched in Hereford this weekend.

The exhibition, entitled Herefordshire's Heritage Pubs, is part of the Hereford Beer and Cider Festival, taking place at the city's rowing club beside the Wye.

The Yew Tree Inn is still remarkably unchanged from a 1950s refit undertaken by the Cheltenham and Hereford Brewery, the then-owners of the two-room village pub. The pub's bar counters, bar backs, upholstered fixed and fireplace seating are still completely intact, as they would have been in the 1950s. the oak panel fittings, by Worcester Woodcraft, are also of particular merit.

Mark Haslam of Herefordshire CAMRA said: "We are seeking to raise the public's awareness of these important pubs through this eye-catching and interesting exhibition. Many of the pubs featured are surprisingly unaltered, but we cannot take them for granted. We need to help to conserve them for future generations to enjoy, and this exhibition is the first important step on that journey to educate people of their value and significance."

The festival, which runs from Friday to Sunday (July 4-6), also sees the national debut of Tried and Trusted, the first beer from the brand-new Willoughby Brewery, based at Brockhampton, near Bromyard.

The festival's main bar will be stocked with over 1,000 gallons of draught beer - from over 110 different UK breweries. The festival also features a cider bar with over 50 draught ciders and perries - uniquely for such a festival, every last one of them from the county of Herefordshire.

Live music comes from the Floyd Earl Band and the Big Easy on Friday, with Hagglebag and the Hot Rats headlining on Saturdayt. Afternoons are more laid back affairs, with the Hereford Big Band featuring on Saturday. This year the festival will appeal to more people than ever, with Sunday being designated family fun-day - activities for the kids include a bouncy castle and play zone, and for all the family there is a mini-farmers' market, a morris troupe and folk music from the Rhythm Thieves.

Mr Haslam said: "Beer on the Wye is already getting a reputation as one of the must do' beer festivals in the UK. Without doubt the fantastic location, with its popular drinking terrace on the riverside and the relaxed atmosphere are what make it so successful and enjoyable."

Beer on the Wye runs from 2pm to 11pm on Friday. noon to 11pm on Saturday, and noon to 5pm on Sunday. For more information, visit www.herefordcamra.org.uk.