Herefordshire Breweries

Herefordshire's Breweries followed the national trend of gradual concentration into larger units, with the closure of small breweries and pubs' own brewing facilities. Early takeovers and mergers involved names such as Wickwar’s Arnold Perrett & Co, and the Tredegar and Brecon Brewery. Later came Cheltenham Original and Stroud, culminating in just two breweries, both in the city of Hereford. Both fell into the hands of Whitbread, and the final stage was inevitable. By 1963 there were no breweries remaining in the county, but Whitbread beers continued to dominate the limited choice available.

The first of the new wave was Penrhos Brewery of Penrhos Court, near Lyonshall. Later, Canon Pyon Brewery started at the Nags Head, but moved to Bodenham, (making way for Wye Valley) and became Tates. For more details of this interwoven history, which is typical of today's micros, select the currently active breweries by clicking on the map, or read a comprehensive chronological account of all of the other Recent Breweries.

Details of all UK breweries are given in the Good Beer Guide, available from all good booksellers or online from CAMRA.