News of the Brews

A few little bits of news that have filtered our way over the past few weeks:

Ffos-y-ffin Brewery in Carmarthenshire has stopped production. It seems that the farm is up for the sale and the outbuilding where the brewery was located has been converted back into agricultural use. It is doubtful that the brewery will continue under its present name as it was named after the local spring.

Further east in Torfaen, Cwmbran Brewery is looking to end production, the reasoning behind this is a change in the business rate valuation by Torfaen Council, who have decided that business rates are to be levied on all of the buildings, not just on the brewery building. So well done there to Torfaen Council for putting a successful brewery out of business in a failed attempt to raise income. Good to know that it's not only in Westminster but also in local town halls that incompetent politicians and their equally incompetent civil servants/local Government officials are screwing up the country.

And finally to Powys where Evan Evans brewery are flogging off the Bull's Head pub in Brecon for an asking price of £250, 000. This was formerly a CAMRA Good Beer Guide pub until taken over by Welsh Estates Ltd, the parent company of Evan Evans. A quick check at Companies House reveals their accounts to be overdue by over a year. The evidence does suggest some cashflow problems here, not helped by opening their flagship pub in Cardiff, situated just around the corner from the Ashes venue, a week after the match had finished. Still it's not a bad pub and the lack of customers at Y Cadno always guarantees you a seat. The price for the Brecon pub is considered a bit optimistic in this climate though, overinflated as one commentator said, just like the ego of the owner.