This week is all about the start of the new school year, digging out the uniforms that have been hid away for 6 weeks, trying on new shoes, apprehensive and excited children and maybe some exhausted parents.
This week we caught up with The Real Ale Trail who have something planned for you tired mums and dads (aunties, uncles, grandparents etc).
Although this one is based in the Vale of Glamorgan they have one planned in the new year for the Swansea area, so we thought we’d see what it’s all about.
Wales Ales took the opportunity to catch up with Shelly Barratt of The Real Ale Trail Company who came up with a novel idea to bring new customers to a number of small local rural pubs and has been running various Ale Trails throughout the country since the first one in North East Wales in 2010.
The Real Ale Trail is essentially a bus based beer festival taking you around a number of pubs you might not normally go to, “The first ever event eight years ago was small, the buses were quite empty as they shuttled good-spirited folk around one wet Saturday to 7 country traditional Welsh pubs. Landlords were very happy with their new found popularity and customers enjoyed not having to worry about driving.”
Up until Covid they had eight Trails running twice a year all over Wales. After proving a big hit up in the hills in North Wales, the Real Ale Trail arrived in the Vale of Glamorgan early 2018. The buses took the trailers around the wonderful countryside of South Wales and to its finest watering holes; a good time was had by all.
That all changed with Covid so we asked Shelly what effect it had on her business.
“It stopped all trading for 16 months. Like many others in the hospitality and events, there was just nothing. The staff were put on furlough and hoped for the vaccine roll out would work, and it did.
“I spoke with the Secretary of Wales and asked when we are likely able to trade so I could plan. I gave my thoughts on the importance of events for communities in Wales and what they bring as a whole from employment to food production.
“I knew as much as anybody else watching the news, there was no forewarning, the news just said Wales is open for business and that was it, I called all the landlords up and said can we do this, with such little time?
“They all agreed and so it’s thanks to them for getting behind us that we are able to put the event on. “
The good news is they’re back with an Ale Trail around the Vale of Glamorgan on Saturday 18th September.
So if you fancy exploring new pubs and enjoy some fantastic countryside views, but don’t fancy the hassle of driving then why not Hail the Ale Trail! You can purchase tickets for the Ale Trail by visiting their website www.realaletail.co.uk
