Mumbles-based author Brian Davies will be launching his second book Wales - A Walk Through Time at Pontnewynydd Cricket Club on Friday 2nd September. Using a historical perspective to enrich the journey, Wales: A Walk Through Time describes a unique walk through a remarkable country. Illustrated with a fascinating collection of old photographs and contemporary images, the route has been specially chosen to explore the sheer beauty and diversity of Wales. It will eventually reach Anglesey, but in this first of three parts we are treated to the glorious landscapes and proud industrial heritage of South Wales. The journey begins with a boat trip to the interesting offshore island of Flat Holm, where Lighthouse Point marks the most southerly spot in Wales. The walk resumes on the mainland at East Aberthaw and follows the southern coast to Barry and Cardiff Bay, heading through the city to Caerphilly and the valleys. We are guided to Blaenavon World Heritage Site and Abergavenny, then along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal and through the Brecon Beacons National Park. On the way, we encounter characters such as Marconi, Captain Scott, Roald Dahl, Tommy Cooper and some of the heroes of Rorke s Drift. Events that shaped the nation s heritage are recalled, giving the reader a real sense of how the past is present at every step. And at certain points we cross the paths of earlier travellers, such as Giraldus Cambrensis and George Borrow, who had their own take on some of the places we visit. Each chapter covers a day s walking, full-colour maps show the way, and a number of tempting hostelries are discovered en route. But this is not simply a guide for walkers: the rich history and images within will have the broadest appeal.
Brian has previously and painstakingly researched the pubs of Mumbles and these appeared in his first book, Mumbles and Gower Pubs which has just been republished due to popular demand.
Pontnewynydd Cricket Club
Pentre-piod Road
Pontnewynydd,
Pontypool,
NP4 6RP
The historic market town of Llantrisant, just outside of Cardiff, will be playing host to a Cornish Beer Festival this weekend as the Wheatsheaf pub puts the finest beers West of the River Tamar on at its beer festival.
Beer list, all subject to availability etc
Skinners Brewery:
Cornish Knocker
Heligan Honey
Figgys Brew
Spriggans Ale
Betty Stoggs
Porthleven
Splendid Tackle
St Pirans Ale
Ginger Tosser
Skin Dog Bottled Lager
Press Gang Cider
Wooden Hand Brewery:
Cornish Mutiny
Cornish Gribben
Black Pearl
Cornish Buccaneer
Pirates Gold
Cornish Steam Engine Draft and Bottled Lager
St Austell Brewery:
Tribute
Proper Job
HSD
Tinners
Black Prince
Korev Lager
Smugglers Barley Wine
Sharps Brewery:
Doombar
To coincide with the upcoming Rugby World Cup a number of rugby legends told SA Brain, Wales' largest cask ale brewer, what their ideal beer for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand would be. The legends were Rob Jones (Wales, Lions), Tom Shanklin (Wales, Lions), Sir Ian McGeechan (Scotland, Lions), Bill Beaumont (England, Lions), Willie John McBride (Ireland, Lions), Gavin Hastings (Scotland, Lions), and John Inverdale and the result was Legends Ale.
At 4.0% this ale will quench the thirst of any rugby fan from any nation. Brewed with two distinctive New Zealand hop varieties, Motueka and Pacifica, this golden coloured ale has a clean floral aroma and delicate citrus flavors that make it truly refreshing.
Legends Ale will be available on the bar throughout September and October with 5p of every pint sold donated to the Wooden Spoon charity.
Cross Inn, Maesteg Road, Garth, CF34 9LB. Open all day
The Cross Inn is a long, two-story building, built in the late nineteenth century and situated on the main Bridgend-Maesteg road; a short walk uphill from Garth railway station. A central doorway leads to an original tilled hallway with a bar to the left and a lounge to the right. A small window in the hallway was the former off-sales hatch, this was set at a low-level in the wall to enable carry-outs to be sold to children to take home for their parents. Above the hatch is a large chalkboard announcing the forthcoming events occurring in the pub. The bar on the left-hand side is long and narrow but has room for a pool table at one end. One of the photographs on the wall shows the original extent of the bar counter from one hundred years ago; it stretched to most of the length of the room but was shortened some years ago to provide more space for customers. The Cross Inn is unusual in that it still retains its original layout and has not been knocked through to one bar.
A doorway off the bar leads to a corridor and a smoking area out the back, the corridor contains some old breweriana such as a 60 year old price list and an old Hancocks Toastmaster mirror. There is also an outside drinking area to the side of the pub.
The lounge, situated to the right of the entrance hall is tastefully decorated with charcoal drawings of the area, bench seating and high tables. There are 3 gleaming chrome handpumps in the bar and another 2 in the lounge. The Cross Inn is home to the Cerddin Brewery, established in 2010 and named after the rowan trees that grow locally, this is the first brewery in the area for 112 years and is Wales' first carbon neutral brewery.
The brewery is situated in an outbuilding to the side of the pub. Regular brews such as Solar and Cascade are supplemented by guest beers from another brewery such as Wye Valley and occasional brews. The popularity of the home-brewed beer has resulted in the landlord putting an extra handpump in and using bigger casks in the cellar. The beers from Cerddin Brewery are all served in branded glassware and takeout containers are also available.
Two beer festivals are held at the pub every year, with the next one being over the August Bank Holiday weekend 26th-28th
Well the big one, the Swansea Bay Beer Festival, is in the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea and is open between Thursday & Saturday – looking forward to trying the beers from Tatton Brewery and a few others here - beer list here.
Elsewere on the Gower the Poundffald Inn in Three Crosses will be holding a festival lasting into the Monday.
Bell Inn, Glangrwney,Powys. Situated between Abergavenny and Brecon this will be the second festival of the year for this up and coming pub. Friday-Monday. Friday – Beer & Sausage night, Saturday beach Party. Live music Sat & Sunday
Crown Inn, LlantwitFardre, Mid-Glamorgan will be holding a festival on Sunday 28th in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
Newmans Brewery Green Lady 5.2%
Mt Snowdon Pale 4.0%
Kingstone Brewery Humpty Fuddle
Tewdrics
Kilverts, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, another of Wales' best pubs is playing host to the Hay on WyeAle & Literature Festival – a cultural celebration of the best of Welsh beer and talks by beer writers. Beer & food pairings as well. Full details on their website.
Cross Inn, Garth,Maesteg. Home to the Cerddin Brewery and holding a beer festival over the bank holiday weekend.
Red Cow, Llwydcoed,Aberdare. The Mid-Glamorgan Branch of CAMRA Pub of the Year will be holding another one of their successful beer festivals from Friday-Sunday with live music throughout the weekend.
Will also see the launch of Grey Tree Brewery Reccabites Bitter – a 4% beer brewed by Ray the landlord of the pub. Beer list here.
It's August Bank Holiday weekend so that obviously means good weather and of course the Swansea Bay Beer Festival, held at the Brangwyn Hall in the City.
The second biggest CAMRA beer festival in Wales is proving to be another popular venue, this year the real ale and cider orders have been increased due to their popularity last year - so this year we have a far bigger selection for everyone. Opening times:
Friday 26th and Saturday 27th - Noon to 11pm
Admission: £5 for non-CAMRA members, £3 for card-carrying CAMRA members
Admission includes glass and programme: tokens for beer to be purchased separately within the Festival.
Bands:
Friday 6pm - Ferns and Galoots
Friday 9pm - Rattled
Saturday 3pm - Alltud
Saturday 6pm - The Shakes
Beer and cider list, subject to availability etc
B = Bitter; SB = Strong Bitter; G = Golden Ale; M = Mild;
Full-flavoured with a crisp sweet fruity aftertaste and soft citrus nose.
Pride of Pendle 4.1% B
Fine balance of malt and hops give a long dry finish.
NEATH, Baglan, Neath-Port Talbot, Wales.
Black 5.5% SB
A very dark ale – much as the name suggests!
Witch Hunter 4.2% B
Ruby-coloured ale with fruit aroma and flavour.
OTLEY, Pontypridd, Wales.
O3 Boss 4.4% B
Traditional chestnut ale.
O1 4.0% G
Straw coloured pale ale heavy with Celeia aroma hops.
Croeso 4.2%
Light coloured ale bursting with citrus flavours and big nose aromas.
Motley Brew 7.5%
A Double IPA brewed with help from Glyn at the Rake, Borough market
PALMERS, Bridport, Dorset, England.
200 5.0% SB
A finely balanced blend of malt, hops and quenching citric fruitiness.
Best Bitter 4.2% B
A traditional well-balanced India Pale Ale.
PURPLE MOOSE, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales.
Dark Side Of The Moose 4.6% SB
A delicious dark ale with a deep malt flavour from roasted barley and a fruity
bitterness from Bramling Cross hops.
Glaslyn Ale 4.2% G
Golden-coloured fruity best bitter with a well-balanced hoppy finish.
RCH, West Hewish, Somerset, England. rchbrewery.com
East Street Cream 5.0% SB
Full-bodied chestnut-coloured ale, with a malty, hoppy sweet fruit taste.
Old Slug 4.5% PS
A traditional near-black porter, full-bodied with tastes of chocolate,
coffee, blackcurrants & black cherry.
Pitchfork 4.3% G
A golden bitter with a floral hop aroma.
RHYMNEY, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.
Dark 4.0% M
Champion Beer of Wales 2011.
Rhymney Dark, is, as its name suggests, is a dark coloured beer with a deep reddish hue and pours with a beige head. A complex aroma of sweet and roast malts and blackberries leads to a bittersweet chocolate flavour and a slightly astringent finish with some vanilla overtones.
Export 5.0% SB
Flavours from mixed malts dominate this full-bodied rounded ale.
RINGWOOD, Hampshire, England.
Fortyniner 4.9% SB
Fresh hop bouquet; rounded malt with strong hop balance, deep bittersweet finish
Old Thumper 5.6% SB
Warm, rounded yet surprisingly strong beer.
SARAH HUGHES, Dudley, West Midlands, England.
Dark Ruby Mild 6.0% PS
Clear fruitiness in the aroma, followed by sweet maltiness and a slightly bitter finish.
SKINNERS, Truro, Cornwall, England.
Betty Stogs 4.0% B
Classic pale/amber mid-strength bitter with distinct hoppy overtones.
ST AUSTELL, St Austell, Cornwall, England
HSD 5.0% SB
Full-bodied, strong and Cornish, brimming with a kaleidoscope of flavours.
Proper Job 3.7% G
A powerfully hopped golden bitter that explodes with citrus grapefruit flavours
SWANSEA, Bishopston, Swansea, Wales
Bishopswood Bitter 4.3% B
A delicate aroma, balanced taste, with bitterness growing in the finish.
Deep Slade Dark 4.0% B
Dark bitter, with a roasted barley flavour.
Original Wood 5.2% SB
Full-bodied, with complex flavours with and a firm bitter ending.
Pwlldu XXXX 4.9% S
A rare opportunity to sample this seasonal ale.
Three Cliffs Gold 4.7% G
Golden beer, with a hoppy, fruity taste and quenching bitterness.
TATTON, Knutsford, Cheshire, England.
Ale 3.7% B
Full malty/toffee flavour for its gravity, balanced by a soft bitterness and hoppy,
fruity taste and aroma.
Best 4.2% B
Amber coloured best bitter with a clean malt flavour and fine hop character.
Blonde 4.0% G
A blonde beer with a hoppy fruity taste and a fine fruity aroma.
Gold 4.8% G
A full-tasting, satisfying deep golden ale.
Summer 4.7% S
A rare opportunity to sample this seasonal ale.
THORNBRIDGE, Bakewell, Derbyshire, England.
Jaipur IPA 5.9% SB
A wonderfully hoppy, full flavoured IPA.
THWAITES, Blackburn, Lancashire, England.
Nutty Black 3.3% M
A bittersweet dark mild; one of only four beers to win Champion Beer of Britain twice.
TOMOS WATKIN, Llansamlet, Swansea, Wales.
Cwrw Haf 4.2% G
A refreshing citrus palate with a fruity aromatic hop.
MOC 4.0% B
Named after the Morriston Orpheus Choir; not widely available.
OSB (Old Style Bitter) 4.5% B
Deep amber, full-bodied with good bitterness and a clean, lasting finish.
Premier Ale 4.3% B
With the tag-line “Not So Ugly Now”, this celebrates Swansea City’s recent promotion!
TUDOR, Abergavenny
Skirrid 4.2%
WEST BERKSHIRE, Thatcham, Berkshire, England.
Dr. Hexter’s Healer 5.0% SB
Three different hops give a balanced beer with a citrus, orange & marmalade finish.
Dr. Hexter’s Wedding Ale 4.1% G
A light golden-coloured beer with good bitterness and a citrus finish.
Good Old Boy 4.0% B
A full-bodied bitter with well-balanced malt & hops.
WYE VALLEY, Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, England. wyevalleybrewery.co.uk
Butty Bach 4.5% G
A burnished gold premium ale. Full bodied, smooth and satisfying.
Dorothy Goodbody’s Stout 4.6% PS
A classic stout with intense roasted barley flavours and a dry bitter finish.
HPA 4.0% B
A delightful smooth pale ale, with a citrus hop aroma and balanced bitter finish.
YOUNGS, Bedford, England.
Special 4.5% B
Classic amber bitter, with fruity nose, good hop aroma & full round finish.
Cider & Perry List
BLAENGAWNEY FARM, Crumlin, Gwent, Wales.
Blindfold 6.0% M
Heartbreaker 7.0% D
National Treasure 5.0% S
BROADOAK: Somerset, England.
Kingston Black 7.5% M
Perry 7.5% M
GOWER HERITAGE CENTRE,Parkmill, Gower, Wales.
Mill Cider 7.4% MS
Mill Cider 7.4% D
GWYNT Y DDRAIG,Llantwit Fardre, RCT, Wales.
Black Dragon 7% M
Dog Dancer 6.5% MD
Fiery Fox 6.5% M
Haymaker 6.5% M
Happy Daze 4.5% M
Kingston Black 7.2% M
Malvern Hills Perry 5.5% M
Pyder 6% M
Scrumpy 5.5% M
Two Trees Perry 4.5% M
Yarlington Mill 6.5% M
HECKS CIDER,Street, Somerset, England.
Dry D
Medium M
Sweet S
Perry S
LLANBLETHIAN ORCHARDS, Cowbridge
Tainton Squash Perry 6.4%. Made from the fruit of a 200 year old perry pear tree
Crabbly Cider 7.4%. The juice from hand-picked Yarlington Mill apples, grown in the shadow of the Blorenge Mountain, is carefully blended with that from a decades old crab apple tree that grows at the orchard near Cowbridge, to produce this traditional cider.
MOLES,Melksham, Wiltshire, England (Made by Thatchers)
