BEER ON THE WYE IX: HEREFORD BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL

Friday 5th July to Sunday 7th July, 2013 at Hereford Rowing Club, Greyfriars Avenue, Hereford. HR4 0BE.

WE’RE BACK FOR A GREAT TIME DOWN BY THE RIVER…..

Last year we fell foul of England’s wettest year on record, when rain turned the ground to mud, and the river threatened to invade the site. However, such is the attraction of our riverside location, we’re back again, and will be paying much more attention to making the ground safe, should the summer be another wet one.

BEER, BEER AND MORE BEER

Beer on the Wye IX will showcase over 120 different real beers from breweries the length and breadth of the UK, with styles ranging from light ales to stouts; from lagers to dark milds, and probably everything in between. From early June you will be able to Download List

The Foreign Beers Bar will again offer over 40 eclectic and interesting beers from overseas, for those with more international tastes. From early June you will be able to Download List

CIDER & PERRY

As you might expect for an event based in Hereford, we will be showcasing the very best from local producers. Every cider and perry at the festival will come from the county of Herefordshire. There will be around 120 draught ciders and perries, and a number of bottled products - some will be from new producers, as this vibrant sector continues to expand. And not a “Pear Cider” in sight!

Once again, we will be selling all the beers and ciders in third-pint measures, as well as the normal halves and pints. This means you can try more of them without having to spend any more money. Not bad, in these cash-strapped times!

We chill EVERY one of the drinks we sell - so you're guaranteed a cool and refreshing drink every time.

Before you can buy any alcoholic drink at the festival, you will need a commemorative festival glass: these come in halves and pints and cost £2.00 on the door. Should you not wish to keep your glass as a memento you can return it for a refund when you leave the festival.

Whilst you are welcome to bring your own food and snacks, only alcoholic drinks PURCHASED AT THE BEER ON THE WYE may be consumed at the festival.

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

The weekend will feature eight exciting live music acts.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!

Four food concessions will be providing the likes of curry, samosas, hot jacket potatoes, fish & chips and the usual sausage, mash, chips, burgers. Food (hot and cold) will be available at ALL times the festival is open (with vegetarians well catered for). A hot breakfast service will be provided on the festival site for campers on the Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Tyrrells crisps will be available on the various bars at all times.

SUNDAY IS FAMILY FUN DAY!

We realise it isn’t easy sometimes to get along to the festival when you have demanding family commitments, so we enjoy making the festival Sunday our Family Fun Day. It’s a very relaxed session, and each year is becoming increasingly popular. With appropriate live entertainment and a number of activities for children of all ages hopefully it allows both the parents and the smaller people a chance to enjoy the riverside atmosphere of Beer on the Wye. There is hot and cold food, plus a number of soft drinks, sweets, crisps etc available to buy.

FESTIVAL BASICS – WHEN & HOW MUCH!

See box on right.

CAMRA members pay the normal price but get a £2 allowance, (£1 on Sunday) in lieu of discount.

This year we are offering festival entry packs on the door to speed up the entry process. £10 for afternoon sessions or £15 for evening sessions will cover admission and a choice of pint or half-pint festival glass (£2 refundable), with the rest made up in drink tokens.

Entry comes with a FREE festival programme, which lists all the drinks available.

Well-behaved children are welcome, but are only admitted on the basis that they are accompanied and supervised AT ALL TIMES by a paying adult, and last admission is 6pm. Children are not permitted on site after 9pm on the Friday and Saturday. If you have younger children, then we recommend attending on the Sunday afternoon (see the Family Fun Day details above).

Alcoholic drinks will not be sold to those aged under 18. Proof of age will be requested on the door and/or at the bar. Failure to provide appropriate photographic ID with evidence of age, when requested, will result in non-admission or refusal of service.

JOIN CAMRA at this festival and get TWO FREE PINTS (three for joint membership). CAMRA membership gives you the opportunity to buy a range of heavily-discounted books at the festival, including the best-selling national CAMRA Good Beer Guide and the third edition of our award-winning Herefordshire Pubs Guide.

Herefordshire CAMRA reserves the right of admission at all times. Beer on the Wye is always a trouble-free event, but should any person(s) misbehave, such that they cause a problem for staff or affect the enjoyment of others, then they will be requested to leave by our professional security personnel.

GETTING TO BEER ON THE WYE….

Beer on the Wye is to be held at Hereford Rowing Club - postal address: 37, Greyfriars Avenue, HEREFORD. HR4 0BE. Click for Map

There are regular direct trains to Hereford from Manchester, Crewe, Shrewsbury, Ludlow and South Wales operated by Arriva Trains Wales. London Midland operate direct trains from Birmingham New Street, Worcester and Malvern, whilst First Great Western operate services from London Paddington, Reading and Oxford. Services run until late at night. Beer on the Wye is about a 20-25 minute stroll from Hereford Railway station. There is a taxi rank at the station.

You can save money if you travel in a group to this event by train - ask for a ‘Groupsave’ ticket where 3 or 4 adults can travel for the price of two (applies on Birmingham and Stourbridge line services only) For rail times and fares go online at: National Rail website or ring 08457 484950

Options to travel to the event by bus are more limited. Regular and late night services link the nearby centres of Leominster, Kington, Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury to Hereford. For bus information please go on-line at: Bus website or ring 08706 082608.

Car parking is available on-site, but can be limited at times. Any parties wishing to come to the festival with mini-buses or coaches are very welcome, please contact us in advance so that we can allocate a suitable parking slot for your vehicle.

…AND STAYING WITH US

Beer on the Wye is blessed with a festival camp site. It is in the same meadow as the main marquee, immediately adjacent to the festival site.

The camp-site is run by Hereford Rowing Club (HRC), and facilities available to campers include round-the-clock use of the modern and clean toilet and shower facilities in the HRC clubhouse. It is anticipated that there will be a hot breakfast service on-site from 9am on the Saturday and Sunday mornings for those camping. Otherwise, city centre venues (cafes, shops etc) are only a 10-12 minute walk away.

Pre-booking of pitches is ESSENTIAL, but it is OK to pay on arrival on the day. Booking for all camping accommodation is via the HRC and is PREFERRED by e-mail or alternatively via 07813 331456. Camper van/caravan-owners should please note that the site is grassed, uneven in places and has no shore supplies. There are rubbish disposal and water facilities at the clubhouse. Parking for associated car(s) is free. Please take directions from the HRC camp site steward on arrival.

If you are a CAMRA member working at the festival then you are entitled to FREE camping (or a caravan pitch) for one night for each day that you are working. If you require CAMRA staff camping please state this on your CAMRA staffing form.

If the lure of canvas doesn’t quite appeal, then there are plenty of convenient guest houses, B & Bs and hotels in and around Hereford – with price ranges to suit most pockets. Information can be obtained via Hereford Tourism on-line or via (01432) 268430

FESTIVAL CHARITY

We are delighted to announce that the chosen charity for 2013 is once again Hope Support Services based in Ross-on-Wye, who support children dealing with a family member diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening illness.

WORKING AT THE FESTIVAL

Every CAMRA member who works at Beer on the Wye is doing so unpaid and entirely in their own time. That’s how much we love real beer, cider and perry. If you are a CAMRA member and fancy helping us out, then now is your chance! You’ll find working (whether behind one of the bars or behind the scenes) a rewarding and enjoyable experience. So, why not give it a try?

We look after you properly whilst you are with us. You’ll be fed and watered, and you get proper breaks. And if you are from further afield then you are entitled to camp for free – just say so on the booking form and we’ll do the rest.

We’ve made it easy for you by putting an on-line staff volunteer form here.

If you are still unsure, or just want more details of how you might be able to help, then please contact us (details below)

CONTACT US

Whether volunteering to work, asking about a sales stand pitch or looking to advertise in the festival programme – just get in touch. Contact Andrew Pearson on (01981) 251167 or via e-mail.

Beer on the Wye IX is organised and run by HEREFORDSHIRE CAMRA.