Last weekend I went to Wales to join my brother on an organised walk with a difference. The Real Ale Ramble is an annual event which attracts thousands of hikers to the heart of the Brecon Beacons for an extra special walking route. The Real Ale Ramble in Llantrwyd Wells is a 10-mile or 25-mile hike with stops at beer stations for a selection of real ales. Part group walk and part beer festival, the Real Ale Amble was a real eye-opener.

Before I was talked into joining the walking route, I couldn’t work out why anyone would pay to join a walk around open access land in return for just a few beers. Most regular walkers would stop for a drink in a pub during or after a long hike anyway. Why stand in a marquee in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of strangers drinking bizarrely named brown liquid?

Having done the Real Ale Ramble I can say that I am one of the converted. Not only did it attract me to an area of outstanding natural beauty that I’d never been before. But it also turned a day hike into a social event – a walk where we all had a common purpose that was fun, friendly and not at all competitive. The event also allowed us to sample some tasty ales and walk around the woods in a lightly inebriated state, which is an trail enhancing experience. The walking routes were well mapped out and sign-posted – it was all fun, safe and entertaining. I’d thoroughly recommend it to walkers and/or beer drinkers.