National Trail Gets Its Own ‘Best Offa’ Beer

A new beer has been brewed by a north Powys brewery for one of Britain’s most iconic national trails. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

‘Best Offa’ was launched as the new official beer for the Offa’s Dyke National Path Trail last month (Saturday 23 April). The new beer has been specially brewed by Monty’s Brewery, which based in Hen-Domen just outside of Montgomery. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The first pint of ‘Best Offa’ was pulled by Welsh TV wildlife presenter and local Iolo Williams at the Cottage in Montgomery, Monty’s Brewery visitor centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

At the launch, Iolo Williams said: “Walking tourism is so important for this area so I’m pleased to this collaboration between the Offa’s Dyke National Path Trail and a local business. Monty’s Brewery is putting the local area on the map and I wish every success for ‘Best Offa’ and I look forward to seeing it in pubs and shops along the length of the Trail.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr John Powell, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Countryside Services, said: “Walkers will always stop in towns and sample local produce which local businesses always welcome. Introducing a beer specially brewed for a national trail should appeal to the thousands of walkers who visit the Offa’s Dyke National Path Trail. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’m delighted that this partnership has seen the introduction of ‘Offa’s Best’ and I’m sure it will become a popular drink with walkers who visit this national trail.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Rob Dingle, Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail Officer, said: “I had a conversation with the owners of Monty’s Brewery, Russ and Pam Honeyman, at the end of January to talk about developing a Trail beer. During my research I noticed they already mentioned Offa’s Dyke and walking on their website. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“They took the idea on straight away. Within a short period, Pam had developed the beer and after a few conversations and tastings, ‘Best Offa’ was born.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Monty’s Brewery now has a trade mark licence agreement to use the acorn and National Trail name and be the official beer for the Trail for the next three years. In return, the Trail will get a donation from every pint and bottle sold, to help towards Trail maintenance and website promotion. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Russ Honeyman of Monty’s Brewery, said: “It’s great to be a part of this. We were really pleased to be asked by the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail, and with Montgomery just getting Walkers Welcome status, it comes at a great time. We look forward to supporting Offa’s Dyke Path over the next few years.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Stephen Hayes, county councillor for Montgomery, attended the launch and said: “Montgomery is proud of its position on the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail and welcomes the visitors it brings to the town. Our flourishing local food producers and hospitality businesses, along with the beauty of the town and its setting in wonderful walking country, are increasingly making Montgomery the destination of choice for discerning visitors. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It’s especially fitting that a link between the national trail and Monty’s Brewery has led to “Best Offa”, brewed in the town, becoming the official Offa’s Dyke Path beer.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Now that “Best Offa” has been launched, Monty’s Brewery will be marketing the beer along the entire 177 miles of the Trail, from Chepstow in the south to Prestatyn in the north. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​