Otley Arms, Trefforest
It was in 1975, that a former Ely Brewery pub called the Commercial was bought by the enterprising Otley family and transformed into the Otley Arms. A few reminders of the old owners remain, from the stained glass window in the old Ely typeface announcing “Smoke room” to a well-used mirror advertising the long-forgotten beer “Brewers' Own”.
This terraced pub, situated on a street-corner, soon established a reputation for the quality of its real ales and became one of the few pub outlets for the Crown Brewery of Brynsadler, as most of their trade was with clubs. The Otley was soon recognised by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale and has been in the Guide Beer Guide every year since 1977.
Today the Otley Arms offers real ales from the nearby family-run brewery as well as guest beers from around the UK and local cider from Gwynt-y-Ddraig. Altogether 5 real ales are on, 3 from the Otley Brewery such as O1, OG and their seasonal beer and the guests can come from as far away as Stonehenge Brewery (Wiltshire) or Beartown Brewery (Cheshire). One-off special brews often feature on the bar and there is also a range of bottled beers which include the Champion Beer of Wales 2008, Otley O8 and O-Garden, a beer flavoured with orange peel and coriander. The beer range is increased every October when the pub holds the annual Oct-O-Bar Beer Festival.
The split-level interior of the Otley Arms features a lower, wooden-floored bar and an upper, carpeted dining area with brick arches, that leads out to a conservatory which, in turn leads out to a smoking shelter. Brass footrails surround the dark-coloured wooden bars and there are plenty of options for seating, either at a table or at a high bar-stool at the bar. In fact the Otley appears to be something of a TARDIS, as from the outside it looks a small, street-corner local but once inside there is plenty of room for everyone. There is even room for a pool table in one section, far enough away from the bar and dining areas to keep everyone happy.
Food is served between 11-4, and 7.30-9.30, and the menu features a full range of options including sandwiches, the Otley burger, handcut chips as well as vegetarian and fish options. Even the bread and the chutneys are home-made by the pub themselves.
The Otley Arms is a highly popular pub, both with students from the nearby University of Glamorgan as well as with customers from father afield. A great place for some great food and of course great award-winning real ale.
The pub is very easy to find, being just a short stroll from Treforest railway station
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