Wye Valley Brewery is a family business. Wye Valley Brewery was started by former Guinness brewer, Peter Amor, in the summer of 1985. After brewing for Guinness, Peter Amor decided to branch out on his own. He began brewing from the back of a pub in Canon Pyon in Herefordshire but soon moved to the old stable block of The Barrels in Hereford – Wye Valley Brewery's first pub. Meanwhile, after studying at Young's brewery in London, Peter's son, Vernon Amor, joined the brewery to help with the demands of the growing business. By 2002, the brewery had outgrown its stable block at The Barrels and Peter and Vernon were on the look-out for bigger premises. A 9-acre former cider mill in Stoke Lacy became Wye Valley Brewery's new home.
Brewery
Wye Valley Brewery is located in Herefordshire. Over 80% of its hops and raw ingredients come directly from farms within 10 miles of the brewery.
Green Brewing
Examples of Wye Valley Brewery's green brewhouse include using water vapour, created during the brewhouse boil, to heat water to clean its casks; and the roof and ground-mounted solar panels covering the equivalent of more than six tennis courts, providing over 41% of the brewery's total electricity.
Beers
Core Range
Wye Valley Brewery's flagship beer is Butty Bach, which is a Welsh term meaning ‘little friend’. This 4.5% smooth, full-bodied, premium ale is burnished gold in colour, and has been crowned ‘Beer of the Festival’ at the Great Welsh Beer Festival on three occasions. Alongside this:
HPA a 4.0% is the straw-coloured ale with a citrusy aroma.
The Hopfather, a 3.9% smooth red ale featuring tropical citrus and grapefruit flavours.
Golden Ale, a 4.2% a light gold coloured ale brewed using Fuggles and Goldings hops.
Wholesome Stout, a 4.6% dark, full-bodied beer boasting roasted coffee notes and a dry, bitter finish.
Wye Valley Bitter, a 3.7% chestnut coloured ale, with a malty flavour and a clean bitter finish.
In addition to the core beer line, a rotation of monthly ales are also produced.
1985
In 2016, Wye Valley Brewery launched its first ever lager, ‘1985’, which has since won an international award. The premium lager is a natural extension to the brewery's range of real ales. The lager is preservative free and made using ingredients sourced within a 10-mile radius of the brewery. Locally grown Pilot hops give ‘1985’ an earthy bitterness, whilst traditional European hops provide a delicate fruity aroma. The result is a 4.5% abv premium lager with a crisp, clean taste perfect for summer drinking.
Pubs
As well as supplying its beers to free houses throughout the West Midlands, South-West and South Wales, the brewery has 8 of its own pubs, building on one of its core principles – bringing the pub to the heart of the community.
The Barrels
The Barrels is an 18th Century coaching inn that is formed partly from the old city wall and is one of the last multi-roomed pubs in Hereford. The Barrels was the brewery's home for many years.
With a garden overlooking the canal and just a short walk from the canal basin and Stourport town centre, The Black Star reopened as a Wye Valley Brewery pub in October 2014.
The Britannia
Just a short walk from the centre of Hereford, The Britannia has a large beer garden and recently refurbished bar.
The Chequers
Located in the historic market town, Leominster, The Chequers is a timber-framed inn, and Wye Valley Brewery's oldest pub, thanks to its 16th Century origins.
The Morgan
Situated just up the road in Malvern, the Morgan Motor Company was originally based in Stoke Lacy – next door to the brewery's current home.
The Pelican Inn is a historic real-ale pub located between Gloucester Cathedral and Kingsholm rugby stadium. As one of Gloucester's oldest pubs, its history can be traced back to 1679. Landlord, Mike Hall is the winner of CAMRA's Gloucestershire Pub of the Year 2020, Gloucester City Pub of the Year 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2020 and Cider Pub of the Year 2015, 2016, 2017
