|
| |
Branch Trip To
Mid Wales, May 2003
Intrepid members
of Birmingham CAMRA set out early on a Saturday morning, for another tour of
classic pubs. This time, there was a fairly lengthy outward journey to
Mid-Wales, but the planning and preparation proved to be well worth the effort.
First stop was the Severn Arms in Penybont, where the group enjoyed a quick pint
of Brains SA, a fairly commonplace beer in these parts, but nevertheless welcome
after a long jaunt.
Since our trip, we hear that there
are now 5 beers on handpull (Bass, Everards Tiger & Beacon, Brains SA and
Reverend James) and that the pub held a Beer & music festival with 13 beers on
tap in 2005. The 2006 event takes place between 19th & 25th August.
The group was soon on its way to Howey, where the Drovers Arms awaited. The
small bar opened out onto an area with comfy chairs, TV and even a fish tank.
What could be better than a pub in your living room ? Some of the group also
visited the Laughing Dog across the road, purely in the name of comparison, of
course.
The Red Lion at Llanafan Fawr proved to have something of a history, dating back
to 1188 and having a Yew tree opposite, which is believed to be 2200 years old.
There is also a murder grave in the vicinity. The pub serves Worthington and a
guest beer (Reverend James), but some of us also took advantage of the pub's
good food.
Moving on to the Crown Inn, there were several discussions on the pronunciation
of 'Rhayader', a bustling town popular with walkers. After a quick check round,
everyone decided that the Red Lion with its selection of Brains beers was the
only place to be. The Hundred House Inn in Hundred House was a complete contrast, with its
tranquil surroundings. It was an ideal setting for a drink on a sunny Saturday
afternoon.
The bus moved on
quickly to Leominster, where the Black Horse and Chequers awaited. Chequers had
Wye Valley Butty Bach on sale, while a former member of Birmingham CAMRA
appeared in the Black Horse, his new local as it turned out.
There was time for a brief stop in Bromyard at the Rose & Lion (a proper
beer-drinkers pub if ever there was one) for Wye Valley Bitter and the Bay Horse
round the corner. The bus then moved on to the Talbot at Knightwick, home of the
Teme Valley Brewery.
A fairly tired bunch supped pints of the wonderfully named "This", "That" and "T'other",
before the journey home. As ever, the Anchor in Bradford Street was the final
calling point, but everyone agreed that it had been a fantastic day and well
worth the
effort.
Richard Reynolds © May
2003
|
