TELEVISION presenter Rory McGrath is to visit a St Albans public house today (Thursday) as part of filming for a possible future programme.

Since July 11, Oxford Scientific Films and a team of archaeologists have been excavating two trenches dug into the car park at the Six Bells pub, on St Michael’s Street, as part of a programme for Channel 5 and the History Channel.

The programme focuses on Roman archaeological finds and the pub itself. Filming has taken place in and around the Six Bells and has included the delighted licensees Patrick and Jo.

Another significant aspect of the project has been an attempt to recreate a Roman ale. Kevin Yelland, headbrewer at St Alban’s award-winning Verulam Brewery, which is based at the Farmers Boy on London Road, has been charged with the task.

He has created his ale recipe using the limited archaeological evidence available of barley malting in European Romano settlements, as well as information on agriculture around Roman St Albans.

Ingredients from St Albans have been used throughout the process, including the water which has come from the River Ver and plants from the riverbank. Wild fruit from a St Albans garden and honey from a local apiarist have also been used.

Rory McGrath will be sampling the ale at 4pm today, along with the archaeologists and the crew.