Latest news with #BeerandCiderFestival
Wales Online
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Beer and cider festival returns to Swansea for 35th anniversary
Beer and cider festival returns to Swansea for 35th anniversary It is one of the highlights of the social calendar for beer and cider lovers in the city Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival returns in August (Image: One of the highlights of the social calendar for beer and cider lovers in Swansea takes place this month. Taking place at the Brangwyn Hall over three days, the CAMRA Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival returns on Thursday, August 21, running until Saturday, August 23. The event is now in its 35th year, and will feature some of the best of Welsh brewing, plus beers and ciders as far away as the Orkneys. These will include favourites such as event sponsor Gower Brewery's Gower Gold and Pilot Gold, and its new west coast pale ale, to a specially brewed festival beer from Swansea Brewing Company named Bandwagon and Brains' 140th anniversary Rev James Reserve. There will also be a full range of pale ales and bitters to ciders and perries, with knowledgeable volunteers on hand at the event. The festival will also feature musical performances each evening. Swansea favourite Tweke will be playing Thursday night, followed by crowd pleasers the Soulskunks on Friday night. On the final night, there will be the double bill of the Low Down Dirty Dog Blues Band and The Currants. There will also be traditional pub games to test your skills from shuffleboard to table skittles. Admission is £6 for non-CAMRA members and £4 for CAMRA members on Thursday night, and £8 for non-CAMRA members and £6 for CAMRA members on Friday and Saturday. It includes a commemorative glass and programme. Advance weekend tickets are also available at £18 for non-CAMRA members and £15 for CAMRA members. The first £5 worth of tokens will also be sold with the admission tickets at the door, so people attending are advised to have £13 or £11 ready if they intend on paying cash. The opening times are Thursday, August 21, 5pm until 11pm, Friday, August 22, noon until 11pm and Saturday, August 23, noon until 11pm. The last admission is 10pm. Article continues below Card and cash will be accepted on the door and at the tokens desk. The event is for those aged 18 and over only. No dogs are allowed.
Leader Live
15-06-2025
- Leader Live
The Druid Inn: Food at award-winning Flintshire pub
The much-loved Druid Inn, located in the quiet little village of Gorsedd, was crowned the winner in the 'refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025. After closing down in June 2023, it was announced a month later that Jerry Brunning had purchased the historic Druid Inn, at Gorsedd near Holywell, for his Pubs Ltd group. General manager Ray Faulder-Jones then stepped in to the role early last year before the pub - rumoured to date back to the 12th century - re-opened during in March 2024. Now, one year on, the venue has become a vital community hub offering plenty of events and great food for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. As soon as I entered the Druid Inn, it was clear to see that it offers a cosy environment to its guests and, I have to say also, that staff members were very welcoming and attentive from the moment I stepped through the door. I attended at around midday (having not done my usual of checking the menu beforehand!), so I was met with a surprise. I'm your standard burger and chips/fish and chips man for the most part, but I thought I would go with something more adventurous this time around. The candle-lit table for one was set and I noticed that there was also a brochure for the upcoming events at the pub also neatly tucked away on the table, again displaying the team's care for its community. So, as I read about upcoming BBQ's and Beer and Cider Festival, I also made my choice of what I was going to eat. For my starter, I opted for the wild mushroom and pearl barley risotto, with truffle oil and crispy onions (£9). This reporter enjoyed a quiet meal for one at the Druid Inn! (Image: Newsquest) While, as I said, this was perhaps something I would not often go for, I very much enjoyed it. For what was deemed as a starter, it was a more-than-generously sized portion that was full of flavour and the onions added a crispy twist to the delicateness of the risotto. To accompany it, I had an ever-reliable Wrexham Lager - but for the true ale lovers there is a vast array of great dark and pale ale options to enjoy, and, of course, plenty of whisky, gins, wines and more to quench a guest's thirst also. RELATED READING For the main meal, I ordered the wild garlic gnocchi, with heritage tomatoes, summer vegetable fricassee and marinated feta (£17). The gnocchi itself was absolutely delicious and the tomatoes accompanied it very well to offer up a taste sensation. The vegetable fricassee in which it sat was also a delight and the feta topped off what was a wonderfully unique dish. The main meal at the Druid Inn. (Image: Newsquest) It's worth pointing out that, although I enjoyed a meat free feast this time around, there are also plenty of traditional pub dishes on offer from steak and ale pie to beer battered haddock. The two dishes I enjoyed were filling enough for me to skip dessert - but there are plenty of delights in that respect too, including a heavenly-sounding chocolate and almond cake with salted caramel ice cream. As I paid for the bill, I was also handed a mini slice of home-made flapjack, which was a nice touch and, once again, lovely. I enjoyed my short stay at what was a memorable venue all around, from the pub itself to the staff who made me feel welcome. With regular Sunday morning strolls, farmers markets and live music options on offer, it's fair to say that the Druid Inn has become a home for the community in Gorsedd. And it's national recognition this week is fully deserved too. Long may their success continue.
