The popular Neath Real Ale and Cider Festival returns this year after a two-year Covid-fuelled hiatus. The event, the seventh to take place in the town, is being held on July 22 and 23 and will see hundreds of local people and visitors sample a wide range of real ales and ciders while catching up with friends and loved ones and enjoying live music from talented local musicians.
Pubs and restaurants are set to host "special guest ales" throughout the event with an "ale trail" available for anyone who wishes to collect stamps for trying different drinks at different venues. There's also set to be family entertainment on the evening of July 23 in Angel Square.
It's just £5 per ticket – with tickets covering entry for both Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23 – and the festival will run from 12pm to 11pm each day. Want the latest Neath Port Talbot news straight to your inbox? We send our email subscribers a newsletter twice per week with the latest news from the region. Sign up here
Explaining what people can expect organisers said: "On both days, from 12pm to 11pm, the historic Old Town Hall on Church Place will be the place to be where first-class real ales and ciders from local brewers will be on offer. Guests will be entertained by an array of live music throughout the two-day festival which promises to be a great celebration of local talent and community spirit. On Saturday evening in Angel Square there will also be a marquee hosting live music and stalls selling ale, cider, and pulled pork rolls.
"The confirmed list of brewers and cider makers for our Neath Real Ale and Cider Festival 2022 is now being confirmed.: we are delighted to welcome back again, for a seventh year, Grey Trees Brewery and Tomos Watkin Brewery, two hugely popular brewers who always go down a storm at the festival."
As well as these Austringer Cider, The Borough Arms, 9 Lives Brewing, Gwynt Y Ddraig Welsh Cider, Gower Brewery Co, and Mumbles Brewery Ltd will all be showcasing their popular ales and ciders at the event. In a statement on the festival's website organisers explain how the ale trail event will work. "Neath has many pubs that love to take part in the festival. The ‘ale trail’ will take you to the various venues where you collect stamps for your ‘ale trail’ card. Get six venue stamps and you will qualify for a free real ale/cider back at the Town Hall!" they said.
Here's everything you need to know about this year's Neath Real Ale and Cider festival.
Timings
This year's event will run from 12pm to 11pm on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 at the Old Town Hall on Church Place, Neath. People can come and go as they please throughout the event.
Prices
It's just £5 per ticket for entry to both days of the festival. Drinks will incur additional charges.
How to get there
Obviously if you're planning on having a few alcoholic drinks at the festival you shouldn't drive home afterwards. Fortunately there there are various train services or buses you can catch to and from the venue.
Train services run regularly to Neath from Cardiff, Bridgend, Swansea, Port Talbot, Llanelli, to name a few local locations, and Neath station is just a three-minute walk from Neath Town Hall. To plan your journey visit Transport for Wales' website here.
Alternatively there are buses from all around Neath to Neath Bus Station, which is a five-minute walk from Neath Town Hall. You can get the 5, 34, 38, 56, 58, 59, 87, 202, 204 251, 252, X7, X5 and X8 services from around Neath to the bus station with First Cymru services 38, X7 and 34 also taking people from as far as Swansea.
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