Deputy Minister visits award winning Montgomery food and drink companies

The Deputy Minister visited Ifor Humphreys at Ifor’s Wagyu Beef in Abermule, where he saw how the cattle are given daily massages and fed a diet of clover-rich pasture, home grown hay and silage; cereal from a neighbouring farm: and, according to the Japanese tradition, beer.  

The beer is surplus real ale from Monty’s brewery in Montgomery, which was the Deputy Minister’s next stop, where he met owner and Brewster (female brewer) Pam Honeyman. Pam, who gave up a teaching career and retrained as a Brewster, is one of just a handful of women running breweries in the UK.  

Both companies won True Taste Awards at this year’s ceremony in October. Ifor won a Bronze Award for his Wagyu Beef, while Monty’s Sunshine won a Silver Award. Furthermore, following a Welsh Government supported showcase event, Ifor’s Wagyu Beef Fat is now stocked at Harrods as a limited edition for the Christmas season.

The Deputy Minister said:

“It is very heartening in the current economic climate to see two companies in a rural area doing so well, and producing such excellent food and drink. Having tasted the produce, I can certainly vouch for the quality and taste of both the beef and the real ales, and congratulate both Ifor and Pam on their thoroughly deserved True Taste Awards.

“It is also very pleasing to see the two companies working together, with Pam’s surplus ale making Ifor’s cows happy and therefore improving the taste of the beef!”

Pam Honeyman said:

“It was an honour to show the Deputy Minister around Monty’s Brewery and to explain how Ifor, with his Welsh Wagyu, and I are working together. Both Ifor and I are part of a group called Taste Montgomery, which is a collaboration of over 30 local businesses including the recently awarded Michelin Star restaurant, The Checkers, to name just one.

“Food tourism in Montgomery is developing rapidly, and receiving awards such as The True Taste Awards are helping to put us on the map.”