The Barrels: 69, St Owens Street.
Something of an institution in Hereford and one of the two pubs owned by the excellent Wye Valley Brewery. Carries a range of up to six Wye Valley beers and usually has a couple of real ciders.
There are four distinct bar areas, with pool, table football, and a large screen TV for sports. A large partially covered courtyard at the back caters for those who like a smoke.
This, together with The Victory (below), which is conveniently in the same street, are the best drinking pubs in Hereford by some way. Both are almost exactly a mile from Edgar Street.
The Victory: 88, St Owen Street.
This is the brewery tap for Spinning Dog Brewery which has a ten-barrel plant on the premises. As well as its own beers and the odd guest it is the cider and perry outlet in Hereford.
There have been some comments that the pub has taken its eye of the ball recently, and it was quiet a couple of seasons ago, but the couple of pints I had were excellent, so no complaints from this quarter.
There's always a Westons, and guests from the likes of Broome Farm, Bridge Hill Farm, Hereford Pig, and Gwatkins. A perry is almost always available too. There are two bars and a skittle alley, for those who play!
The Kings Fee: 49-53, Commercial Road.
I can't help myself, the local Wetherspoon, opened in 2002, and better than the average.
Large open plan bar with elevated family area where children are allowed until 7.00 p.m. There's also a courtyard area available for the evil smokers.
Usual Wetherspoon menu served all day, but it makes more of an effort than normal with the drink, having up to eight guests over and above the tired standard Wetherspoon 'house' beers, and a couple of proper ciders.
No more than five minutes walk from the stadium, and on the way if you have come by train. Open at 9am if you really want to start early!
The ground it stands on does have an interesting history. Click here if your into that sort of thing:
Club Bar:
Hereford's club bar is called Legends and is situated by the Market Car Park - if you park there you'll pass it on your left. Can't comment on away fans entry, certainly worth a try if the coaches are in late but the other pubs are relatively close if you have the time.
The Ground and Legends: middle left above Blackfriars Street; The Station: Top right, the blue blob; The Barrells: St. Owens Street, bottom middle; The Victory, next door to the Barrells, nice! The Kings Fee: Commercial Road, middle, middle.
(Many thanks to the hardened drinkers at www.ciderspace.co.uk for their help with this article.)