Microbrewery crafts six unique beers for Brewfest

A local microbrewery has produced six unique beers to be sold exclusively at this month’s Brewfest beer festival.

Brewfest, Oxhey Village’s annual celebration of local beer, is returning on 28 June. This year, it has trebled in size, with all six of the pubs in the area laying on a day of food, entertainment and special casks.

Oxhey Village Brewery will supply a different, one-off beer to each of the participating pubs, with all six carefully formulated for a unique drinking experience.

The family-friendly festival will offer ale tasting from regional brewers, food from independent caters, and entertainment from local musicians.

The event is organised in partnership between Oxhey Village Environment Group and Oxhey Village Brewery.

Brewfest began in 2017 as a one-day event at the Rifle Volunteer on Villiers Road, expanding to the Villiers Arms in subsequent years. This year, to cater for increasing numbers, a further four pubs have been added to the circuit.

The Oxhey Village Brewery (OVB) specials can be sampled at the following locations:

• The Load of Hay (207 Pinner Road, Watford, WD19 4ET) – OVB Olicana
• The Railway Arms (1 Aldenham Road, Watford, WD19 4AB) – OVB Challenger
• The Rifle Volunteer (36 Villiers Road, Watford, WD19 4AJ) – OVB Harlequin
• The Royal Oak (24 Watford Heath, Watford, WD19 4EU) – OVB East Kent Goldings
• The Victoria (39 Chalk Hill, Watford, WD19 4BU) – OVB Jester Hop
• The Villiers Arms (108 Villiers Road, Watford, WD19 4AJ) – OVB Endeavour

Most of the venues will begin their activities around 12am. More event details are available on the Brewfest event page. Please also check the pubs’ social media channels for more announcements and timings.

Simon Jacques from Oxhey Village Brewery said:

“As a group of Oxhey Village brewers, we are proud to be able to support the local businesses on our doorstep. In fact, we can almost count the number of steps from production to the pump.

“We’ve spent the last few months carefully crafting six unique beers for Brewfest, meaning that whichever pub you visit, you’ll get a slightly different OVB experience. We’re looking forward to chatting to customers and hearing their reactions to the brews.”

Jules Wattam, landlord of the Load of Hay, said:

“This is our first time taking part in Brewfest and we’ve planned a great day of activities, with music from local covers band the Junkyard Dogs, food from Gregory’s Kitchen, and guest drinks on tap including Oxhey Village Brewery, Vale Brewery, and Lilley’s Cider.

“We always enjoy welcoming new faces into the Load of Hay and Brewfest is a great opportunity for people to pop in, have a drink, and maybe become our future regulars!”

Rob Kirby, Deputy Chair of Oxhey Village Environment Group, said:

“Brewfest has grown over the years from a small, one-off event, to a major date in the regional beer calendar, and each time it’s become bigger and better. This year, with six unique Oxhey Village Brewery offerings, customers have even more reason to wander between pubs and perhaps try somewhere new.

“We’re proud to be working with OVB and our local pubs to shine on a light on local brewers, while also supporting independent musicians and food caterers, who will be keeping punters fed and entertained throughout the day. We can’t wait to bring the community together for a day of entertainment, food and a good pint.”