Cwrwfest at Chepstow

Photographed: Left to Right: Samantha Mendez (volunteer) Glen Ellis (Landlord of the Queen’s Head Micropub at Chepstow) & Becky Campbell (volunteer).

Hundreds of people basked in the spring sunshine to sample some of Wales’ finest ales at Chepstow Castle for the first ever Cwrwfest festival. Cwrwfest is the ultimate celebration of Welsh beer held in the magnificent grounds of Chepstow Castle. The pop-up bars in the heated marquee served inspired selections from three of the country’s most inventive breweries — Celt Experience, Mad Dog and Crafty Devil — while beer lovers were able to tour the ales of Wales by sampling the diverse range at the cask table.

Melissa Ball, whose been a custodian at the castle for seven years, said that she hoped the castle would host a similar event again. She said: “It is quite nice to hit a new market and to bring in new visitors who would not necessarily come to see a castle.”

Dusty Knuckle Pizza Company and Little Blue Ox were among the food stalls at the event, which attracted a number of families as well as beer connoisseurs. Visitors enjoyed listening to live music.

Samantha Mendez from Cardiff said: “It has been a fantastic two days in Chepstow Castle. I have volunteered at a few beer festivals in Wales but this festival has to be the best setting! Great beers and a really good crowd of people. I hope to see it again next year.”