Pub and brewery owner Derek Jones, a local farmer, welcomes us.
Through a gate next to the pub we were shown a mound which we were told was a surviving piece of Offa's Dyke, the earthwork built in the Dark Ages by King Offa of Mercia to keep ot the Welsh hordes.
The secret garden, where the earthwork remains are, is to the left of the pub, (photo by Bob Whitehead).
On the left is the Barley Mow pub, and to the right the restored outbuilding which houses Offa's Dyke Brewery. The building, which was previously used for storage for the Barley Mow, was made possible by the Redundant Building Grant Scheme, funded by the Rural Regeneration Zone and administered by Herefordshire Council.
Being a farmer, Derek Jones beliwves in the importance of a freshly milled grist, so unlike many microbrewers, prefers to do his own.
The plant originally came from Thomas McGuinness at Rochdale.
Shoe-horned into the roof space are hot and cold liquor tanks and a cooler.
The drainage channel down the centre of the brewhouse floor follows the line of Offa's Dyke, so that ar stages through the production process beers move from England into Wales and back again.
The production process is incredibly well monitored and controlled for a microbrewery.
The equipment manufactured by SPR of Ramsbottom, Lancashire, must have been seriously expensive when new.
Refrigeration by ECS - energy cooling systems
refrigeration plant and cold liquor tank
Proprietor Derek Jones receives a commemorative certificate and Merrie City Beer Festival tankard from Wakefield CAMRA Chairman Mark Goodair as Wakefield CAMRa Secretary June Bradbury and member Alan Shaw look on.
Derek Jones is so chuffed that he wants a snap on his own camera too.
Wakefield CAMRA members, left to right, Dave Hoult, smily John Groves with Shane Cartwright behind him, Albert Bradbury, Bob Whitehead and Sandra Naylor.
Julie, Dave Hoult and Wurzel (photo by Bob Whitehead).
Wakefield CAMRA member Pat Wallis notes the plaque from the Redundant Building Grant Scheme.
Three Offa's Dyke ales on the bar at the Barley Mow.
sans titre
Wakefield CAMRA member Dave Hoult has managed to blag a Barley Blonde pump clip for his collection. Reclining is Steve K........ (photo by Bob Whitehead).
Close-up of 3.8% light bitter Barley Blonde pump clip showing the pub, the brewery, the dyke and flags of England and Wales, and, of course, barley (photo by Bob Whitehead).
