Bullmastiff Brewery launches new beer

Cardiff-based Bullmastiff Brewery have launched another beer to their award-winning brewing pedigree. The 4.6% Welsh Pride is a pale ale, brewed with Northdown and Styrian Golding hops and is available in selected pubs such as the Mochyn Ddu, Cardiff, the Old Swan in Llantwit Major and and the Vale of Glamorgan in Cowbridge, as well as in other well-known real ale pubs throughout South Wales. Bullmastiff Brewery have now been brewing for 22 years and are one the oldest of the new breed of Welsh independent brewers. Brewing brothers Bob and Paul Jenkins also produce the multi-award winning beer Son of a Bitch as well as Welsh Gold, Thoroughbred and Brindle.

Bullmastiff Brewery 029 20 665292

Rhondda Valley Brewery

A few years ago Dave the RAT sent me this window photo as he was having difficulty in identifying the brewery. The photo was taken in the Ogmore pub, Gilfach Goch.
Of course I just filled away the photo and forgot to tell hime but after a bit of research (and an email to remind me!) here's what I discovered.
The letters on the window are R V B E and this stands for the Rhondda Valley Breweries Co Ltd of Trehebert - now the interesting thing is the letter E - this stands for Ely as Rhondda Valley Brewery took over Ely Brewery in Cardiff in 1920. In 1928 Rhondda Valley Breweries changed their name to Ely brewery, closed production at Treherbert and moved it all to Ely in Cardiff. So we can safely say that this window dates between 1920-1928. Ely brewery was aquired by Rhymney Brewery in 1959 with 265 pubs. Pubs eventually ended up in the Whitbread empire.

And here is an old photo of the Ogmore pub, Evanstown, Gilfach Goch, Mid Glamorgan, when it was in the Rhymney Brewery Empire.


Original Trade Mark came from David Leyshon at the Graig Brewery, Rickard Street, Pontypridd. Founded 1867. Merged with the Newbridge-Rhondda Brewery Co Ltd in 1903 to form Pontypridd United Breweries Limited. Brewery closed 1904 and remained unused until 1922 when it was converted into a church. Pontypridd United Breweries was acquired by Rhondda Valley Breweries Co Ltd, Trehebert in 1918.

Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival - brewer spotting

Phil Parry of Tomos Watkin Brewery

Bob Jenkins of Bullmastiff Brewery

Keith Wrigley of Black Mountain Brewery

Steve from Ffos y fin brewery

Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival - setup day 1

The Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival is in the process of being set up, with deliveries from across the UK making their way to the Cardiff International Arena for the biggest beer event in Wales.

Martin Lewis from Cwmbran Brewery delivered early despite nearly getting lost in the trafic chaos that is the rebuilding of Cardiff City Centre.



Bill Picton of WARCOP Brewery delivers his Pit Prop Mild

Whilst Paul Jenkins of Bullmastiff Brewery contemplates the Cardiff sun before heading off to a wedding in Germany this weekened. Hang on Paul, the beer festival is in Cardiff not Munich!

The stillage is built and the beers are waiting to be hoisted up.