Daley Dozen - 12 South Wales Pubs

Daley Dozen, part 3
An occasional series devoted to a dozen best things in the beer world.

12 favourite pubs in South Wales

1. Clytha Arms, Monmouthshire. Set in its own grounds, the Clytha has won countless awards over the years for its real ales and food. It is even on a bus route, though a somewhat irregular one.
2. Joiners, Bishopston, Swansea. Home of the Swansea Brewing Company, the Joiners offers good beer and good food in a pleasant setting a short bus ride from the city centre. Brew Wales has heard that all the beers are good here, though Three Cliffs Gold is the only one ever imbibed by him here.
3. Boars Head, Tyla Garw, Glamorgan. Great pub, about 10 minutes walk from Pontyclun Railway Station. The management actively support local breweries here.
4. Ye Olde Murenger House, Newport. The Brew Wales local, despite their being around other 15 pubs between home and this pub. A haven in a superpub ghetto. Dates back to the 1520s with ghosts and Sam Smiths OBB, although Brew Wales avoids the spirits!
5. Green Dragon, Monmouth, Monmouthshire. The Brew Wales regular hangout in Monmouth, situated close to the now pedestrianised medieval bridge. A fine 2-bar boozer with good beer, Fullers London Pride is a regular on the bar here.
6. Winchester, Merthyr. Well anywhere named after Arthur Daley's preferred drinking establishment has to be good and this is no exception. Four real ales on, that's often three more than the nearby chav palace, all from the local Rhymney Brewery.
7. Goat Major, Cardiff. I like the beer, the 1920s décor and even the food is interesting. Despite being on the busy St Mary Street and close to the castle, the Goat Major is often quite, a good place to hide away from the busy streets of the capitol.
8. Bell, Caerleon. A cider pub, with often up to 20 different ciders and perries on. Excellent food and real ales as well. Hidden away in a back street of Caerleon.
9. Otley Arms, Trefforest. One of Brew Wales favourite pubs for years, the Otley offers everything that is needed in a good pub, good beer, good conversation and good food. Oh and did I mention the beer? O1 for Brew Wales, unless Columbo is on.
10. Boar's Head, Brecon. Situated by the river, the Boar's offers the full range of Breconshire Beers and is one of the best pubs in Brecon.
11. Vulcan, Cardiff. Well, Brains Bitter and SA on here, the famous brown urinals have been saved for 3 years, let us just hope that a more secure future can be made for this wonderful pub.
12. Bunch of Grapes, Pontypridd. Yes I know it's a gastopub and my feelings on such pubs are mixed but the beer is superb and the food is as well.