The Yew Tree, Ross-On-Wye

This pub now belongs to Ross-on-Wye Cider Company and stocks a couple of their ciders on draft, along with a substantial bottle collection. Their Broome Farm base is located just behind the pub in the village. On our Sunday afternoon visit, the 2 ciders were Dabinett Single Varietal and Dabinett & Foxwhelp. Ale drinkers are certainly not neglected, with Hobson's Best Bitter being a permament fixture. Guests were Burning Sky Plateau & Hobson's Postman's Plum Porter. The interior is a very basic square room, with 5 or 6 tables. A couple were occupied by reasonably large groups, who were all drinking. There was no sign of any food, although we were probably between meal sessions. I tend to find Ross-on-Wye cider a bit on the dry side. But nevertheless, a visit here made a nice change for me to visit a pub where cider is the primary drink.

A bit more than meets the eye to this one if you call in for a pit stop on the busy A49. What you find is a fairly basic village local, but then you realise there's a cider farm and shop and camp site and nice garden too. What you get inside is a much-altered single room affair with no sign of corporate makeover, indeed no sign of any makeover for years. Pleasant of seating for all comers, a warm fire on a freezing May (May?) afternoon, locals popping in for one thing or another. Just how it should be. Obviously cider is the thing here, but if you are like me and can't take the acidity there's a fine selection of ales too, including Hobson's Best in perfect condition. Food seems to be the usual stodge pubs like this pride themselves in. It's well worth a look if you are staying in the area, and a far better bet than most of the chain places along the A49.

Official site of The Yew Tree - rosscider.com

Official site of The Yew Tree - rosscider.com