What? Already time for another
Swansea Bay Beer & Cider Festival? But it's not Summer yet!
Well the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea will be closed for a refurbishment this Summer so the second-biggest CAMRA beer festival in Wales will be held in April this year on the 4th, 5th and 6th April (Thurs-Sat), with over 100 real ales, ciders and perries.
Open 1700-2300 Thursday 4th
12-2300 Friday 5th & Saturday 6th
Admission £5 (£3 CAMRA members) includes glass and programme. Over 18s only due to venue restrictions.
Bands:
Cakehole Presley - Thursday 4th April 9pm
Afternoon in Paris - Friday 5th April 6pm
LAF - Friday 5th April 9pm
Nomads Duo - Saturday 6th April 4pm
Burghers - Saturday 6th April 7pm.
Provisional Beer List & Tasting Notes. NB may be subject to change!
ART BREW, North Chideock, Dorset, England. (artbrew.co.uk)
Spanked Monkey 6.4% SB
A proper I.P.A., so stuffed with hops it will make your tongue tingle. This
spanked version has root ginger and chilli added to the cask
BLACK JACK, Manchester, England.
Double Bluff 4.8% B
Started last year, Black Jack ales are brewed by Rob Hamilton, of ex Marble
fame. Double Bluff is an amber ale with full aroma and bitter notes.
New Deck 4.2% G
Traditional golden bitter, hopped largely with Goldings
BRAINS, Cardiff, Wales. (sabrain.com)
Barry Island IPA 6.0% SB
Brains Craft Brewery: an American style IPA brewed using three types of US hops
Dark 3.5% M
Treacle-coloured, brewed with Chocolate malt; hints of liquorice and ground coffee.
Milk Wood 4.3% B
The unique character of rye crystal and malted oats brings russet red colouring and smooth toffee, poetically balanced by a crisp bitterness from Goldings hops.
Reverend James 4.5% B
Full-bodied and warming. Rich spicy aromatic palate with a deeply satisfying finish.
SA Gold 4.3% G
Full-flavoured hoppy golden ale with complex refreshing citrus aromas and flavours.
BRASS CASTLE, Pocklington, East Yorkshire, England. (brasscastlebrewery.co.uk/)
Bad Kitty 5.5% PS
A chewy chocolate vanilla dream of a porter.
BRECON BREWING, Brecon, Powys, Wales. (breconbrewing.com)
Genesis 2:ii Imperious Beacons 7.5% PS
The Imperial Welsh Stout – velvety smooth, deep black and with hints of smoky
coffee, toffee and luscious Black Forrest gateaux.
Three Beacons 3.0% B
Pale golden APA remarkably full flavoured and extensively hopped a beer that truly defies its strength.
BRISTOL BEER FACTORY, Bristol, England. (bristolbeerfactory.co.uk/)
Acer 3.8% G
A low alcohol beer with a huge hop kick to it (Soracchi Ace); ripe tangerines,
resinous hops and a blast of citrus play around on a solid bready malt backbone.
Southville Hop 6.5% SB
American inspired IPA, heavily hopped. Big sweet malt backbone, followed by a
wash of tropical fruits; long, moreish resinous bitter finish. SIBA 2011 reg’l winner
BRYN CEYLN, Ystradgynlais, Swansea Valley, Wales.
Oh Boy 4.5% B
An enticing golden colour with a taste full of hops and fruit. Winning Best
Bitter at the 2012 Great Welsh.
Sleeping Giant 4.3% B
A light amber beer, with a smooth bitter taste and floral spicy hop aroma.
BULLMASTIFF, Cardiff, Wales.
Son of a Bitch 6.0% SB
Amber-coloured, rich and warming. A complex blend of malt, hops and fruit
with good bitterness and lasting finish.
BUTCOMBE, Bristol, England. (butcombe.com)
Blonde 4.4% G
A refreshing golden bitter brimming with citrus hops and fruit
CELT EXPERIENCE, Caerphilly, Wales. (theceltexperience.co.uk)
Cat Scratched Celt 4.9% S
Modern, citrus and angry tropical notes. Enjoy a Shanghai experience!
Silures 4.6% B
Powerful and deep bodied pale-amber ale with fruit aromas. A balance of flavour
malts and Pacific and Alantic hops result in a massive beer with bitterness, sweet
vanilla maltiness and a blend of citrus passion fruit and mango on the finish.
CERDDIN, Maesteg, Mid Glamorgan, Wales. (cerddinbrewery.co.uk)
Cwrw Tri 4.5% M
A dark, easy drinking ale, somewhere in between bitter and mild. Mainly coffee
and chocolate with liquorice on the front, with a dark and malty finish.
WPA 4.0% B
A 19th century Welsh Pale Ale recipe, brewed to re-hydrate the heavy industrial
workers. Uses traditional ingredients to deliver a fruity finish with lots of hops.
COTSWOLD SPRING, Chipping Sodbury, Glos., England. (springbrewery.co.uk)
Ambler 3.8% B
Agreeably smooth session beer with a lovely long palate. A good malty start is complemented with a well rounded hoppy finish.
OSM (Old Sodbury Mild) 3.9% M
Complex 7 grain mild. Initially dry with a bitter sweetness. Chocolatey notes and
a long finish. SIBA Supreme National Champion 2011 and Mild winner 2012.
Stunner 4.0% G
A straw coloured ale with mouth-filling malt complemented by a lovely tropical
fruitiness on the nose and palate, and a long refreshing finish
CROUCH VALE, Chelmsford, Essex, England. (crouchvale.co.uk)
Brewers Gold 4.0% G
A pale, refreshing and hoppy beer with gorgeous aromas of tropical fruits
DARK STAR, Partridge Green, Sussex, England. (darkstarbrewing.co.uk)
American Pale 4.7% G
Maris Otter malt complements the crisp taste and full aroma of the hops.
Hophead 3.8% G
Pale golden ale, strong floral aroma and elderflower notes
EVAN EVANS, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales. (evanevansbrewery.com)
Archers Old Glory 4.5% B
Fruity hop aroma, mouth-filling dark amber bitter with a spicy full fruit
bitterness. A classic premium ale for the winter international rugby season
W H Buckley Wrecker 4.4% B
An exciting beer brewed with light malt. Amber in colour, light and fruity,
with a dry, clean bitter finish
EVERARDS, Narborough, Leicestershire, England. (everards.co.uk)
Tiger 4.2% B
Chestnut brown in colour; spicy hop aromas with toffee undertones.
FULLERS, Chiswick, London, England. (fullers.co.uk)
ESB 5.5% SB
A liquid legend – winner of three CAMRA Beer of the Year awards, among
numerous other gold medals.
GOWER, Oldwalls, Gower, Swansea, Wales. (gowerbrewery.com)
Gower Gold 4.5% G
Thirst quenching golden ale, refreshing citrus flavours and the lovely aroma
of Cascade hops.
Lighthouse 4.5% S
A light thirst quenching continental style lager packed with flavour.
Gower Power 5.5% SB
Brewed with traditional floor malted barley and packed full of choice quality hops
to give a powerful Welsh example of a true British classic – Indian Pale Ale.
Gower Rumour 5.0% SB
Brewed with traditional floor malted barley and packed full of choice quality hops
to give a powerful Welsh example of a true British classic – Indian Pale Ale.
GREEN JACK, Lowestoft, Suffolk, England. (green-jack.com)
Baltic Trader 10.5% PS
An Extra Strong Export Stout. Smooth, rich and fruity with roasted coffee &
vanilla flavours.
GREY TREES, Red Cow Pub, Aberdare, Wales. (www.theredcowpub.com)
Diggers Gold 4.0% G
A golden, hoppy ale, brewed with American Citra Cascade and further dry hopped
for a full aroma. Brewed at the Mid and South Wales pub of the year 2012
JPR Pale Ale 4.6% B
A crisp golden ale with a lovely aromatic flavour.
HARVEYS, Lewes, East Sussex, England. (harveys.org.uk)
Sussex Best Bitter 4.0% B
A superbly balanced session bitter with a prominent hop character.
HARVIESTOUN, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. (harviestoun.com)
Schiehallion 4.8% G
A true pilsner-style beer; dry, crisp, refreshing and flavoursome.
HEART OF WALES, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales. (neuaddarmshotel.co.uk)
High as a Kite 10.5% BW
When Bass (or Coors) stopped making their No1 Barley Wine, Heart of Wales had
a go. This potent brew was Supreme Champion Beer at the Great Welsh in 2012.
Welsh Black 4.4% PS
A fine, complex, particularly smooth stout, full of flavour with notes of liquorice.
Winning Stout and No 2 beer overall after High as a Kite at the Great Welsh 2012.
HOGS BACK, Tongham, Surrey, England. (hogsback.co.uk)
T.E.A. Traditional English Ale 4.2% B
A deep golden colour, TEA is refreshing, hoppy and well balanced.
KELHAM ISLAND, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. (kelhambrewery.co.uk )
Pale Rider 5.2% G
Well balanced strong and fruity ale flavoured with North American Hops.
KITE, Gorslas, Carmarthenshire, Wales. (thekitebrewery.com)
CPA (Carmarthenshire Pale Ale) 4.1% G
A blonde ale with fruit and sweet malt, followed by a refreshing dry finish.
Kite are currently relocating to Llantrisant.
Cwrw Gorslas 4.0% B
An accomplished balance of spicy resinous hop aroma. The bitterness remains
into the finish with dry fruit notes. Champion beer Carmarthen festival 2011.
MIGHTY OAK, Malden, Essex, England. (mightyoakbrewery.co.uk)
Oscar Wilde 3.7% M
A wonderfully mellow, moreish dark mild. Champion beer of Britain 2011
MONTY’S, Montgomery, Powys, Wales. (montysbrewery.co.uk)
Midnight Stout 4.0% P/S
Dark creamy stout, full of dark fruit and roasted malt flavours. Silver winning
stout at the 2012 Great Welsh.
MOORHOUSE’S, Burnley, Lancashire, England. (moorhouses.co.uk)
Blonde Witch 4.5% G
Moorehouse’s first ever “blonde” ale. This beer is as light as you get with a
lager colour (minus the bubbles).
Pendle Witches Brew 5.1% SB
Full-flavoured with a crisp sweet fruity aftertaste and soft citrus nose.
NEATH, Baglan, Neath-Port Talbot, Wales. (neathales.co.uk)
Dewi Saint 4.8% B
A very pale ale brewed with a single variety cluster hop. Fruity and easy
drinking with “enough hops to make it interesting”.
Firebrick 4.2% B
An Amber Best Bitter. Crystal malt soon gives way to classic British hop
flavour and bitterness.
Hophazard 6.8% SB
An amber ale, brewed with an outrageous amount of hops.
NETHERGATE, Clare , Suffolk, England. (nethergate.co.uk)
Umbel Magna 5.0% P/S
Coriander added to Old Growler wort to give a spicy, deep ruby porter
OAKHAM, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England. (oakhamales.com)
Attila 7.5% BW
Fruit and elderflower aroma, with citrus and berry taste leading to a
bitter fruity finish.
Bishops Farewell 4.6% B
A strong premium beer of structured quality, dominated by elaborate fruity
hop notes, with a grainy background and dry finish.
OAKLEAF, Gosport, Hampshire, England. (oakleafbrewing.co.uk)
I Can’t Believe it’s not Bitter 4.9% S
Clean and crisp with a fruity aftertaste, a lager with a citrus finish that lingers on.
OTLEY, Pontypridd, Wales. (otleybrewing.co.uk)
O4 Columb-O 4.0% G
Pale golden ale with high bitterness and aromas of green grass and herbs. Runner
up to Croes-O in the Golden Ale category at the Great Welsh 2012.
O5 Gold 5.0% G
Light bodied golden ale using Lager malt and lightly hopped with Amarillo and
Pioneer
O-Garden 4.8% S
A clear wheat beer spiced with roasted orange peels, coriander and cloves. Good
hop aromas with a subtle bitterness. Runner up Specialty Beer Great Welsh 2012.
Oxymoron 4.2% S
Black IPA style bitter. Rich, dark chocolate flavours and a lasting bitter aftertaste
PIXIE SPRING, Llantrisant, Mid Glamorgan, Wales. (pixiespring.com)
Deliverance APA 4.5% B
Pale/Straw Coloured American Pale Ale. hops, hops and even more hops, a taste
of Hillbillies and Blue grass to make you squeal like a pig!
Kraken’s Revenge 6.0% PS
An Imperial Russian Stout infused with Demerrera sugar and Kraken Premium
Rum, promised to deliver a strong and unforgettably quaffable taste temptation.
Not for the faint hearted!
PURPLE MOOSE, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales. (purplemoose.co.uk)
Dark Side Of The Moose 4.6% B
A delicious dark ale with a deep malt flavour from roasted barley and a fruity
bitterness from Bramling Cross hops. SIBA Wales & West 2013 Gold: Old Ales
Ysgawen 4.0% S
A refreshing pale ale brewed using Casade hops with the added indulgence of
elderflower. SIBA Wales & West Silver overall 2012, Gold: Specialty 2012/13
QUERCUS DEVON ALES, Kingsbridge, Devon, England. (quercusdevonales.com)
Shingle Bay 4.2% G
Light, easy drinking, fruity citrus aroma & flavour giving a subtle, crisp refreshing
bite. Smooth taste, crisp revitalising finish. CAMRA Devon best beer 2012
RCH, West Hewish, Somerset, England. (rchbrewery.com)
East Street Cream 5.0% SB
Enigmatic full bodied beer with malty hoppy fruit bitter with a sweet taste, all
vying for dominance in this complex well crafted premium chestnut coloured ale.
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 floral citric hop aroma. It has a hoppy predominate taste
which is slightly sweet and fruity and leaves you wanting more.
RED WILLOW, Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. (redwillowbrewery.com)
Headless 3.9% B
Refreshingly floral Pale Ale with a restrained orange-led bitterness and a light,
straw-hued colour.
Wreckless 4.8% B
Pale Ale loaded with Citra and Amarillo hops providing massive amounts of
tropical fruit with a clean finish.
RHYMNEY, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. (rhymneybreweryltd.com)
Dark 4.0% M
Champion Beer of Wales 2011, hopped like a true stout, although actually a mild
Export 5.0% SB
A heady flavour from a combination of carefully hand mixed malts, provides
an ale of exceptional character. Full bodied yet rounded, eminently quaffable.
SADLERS, Stourbridge, West Midlands, England. (sadlersales.co.uk)
Hop Bomb 5.0% SB
A powerful India Pale Ale, brewed with American Amarillo and Citra Hops. A
balanced malt sweetness supports the epic hop aroma and flavour explosion.
SALTAIRE, Shipley, Yorkshire, England. (saltairebrewery.co.uk)
Blackberry Cascade 4.8% S
American style pale ale with the floral aromas and strong bitterness of Cascade
and Centennial hops, infused with a hint of blackberries
Elderflower Blonde 4.0% S
A refreshing blonde ale delicately infused with the flavour of elderflower.
Raspberry Blonde 4.0% S
Refreshingly blonde ale delicately infused with raspberry flavours.
SARAH HUGHES, Dudley, West Midlands, England. (sarahhughesbrewery.co.uk)
Dark Ruby Mild 6.0% M
Clear fruitiness in the aroma, followed by sweet maltiness and slightly bitter finish.
SIX BELLS, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, England. (sixbellsbrewery.co.uk)
Cloud Nine 4.2% G
Robust, well hopped beer, having citrus notes throughout its aroma, flavour and
dry lingering finish.
ST AUSTELL, St Austell, Cornwall, England. (staustellbrewery.co.uk)
Proper Job 3.7% G
A powerfully hopped golden bitter that explodes with citrus grapefruit flavours
SURREY HILLS, Dorking, Surrey, England. (www.surreyhills.co.uk)
Shere Drop 4.2% B
Pale with subtle hint of grapefruit & lemon in aroma. Wonderful hop bitterness is complemented by a balanced malt flavour. Long finish, which is moderately dry.
SWANSEA, Bishopston, Swansea, Wales. (swanseabrewing.co.uk)
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.
Three Cliffs Gold 4.7% G
Golden beer, with a hoppy, fruity taste and quenching bitterness.
TATTON, Knutsford, Cheshire, England. (tattonbrewery.co.uk)
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.
White Queen 4.2% S
A Belgian white, naturally cloudy Wheat beer, spiced with coriander, Curacao
orange peel, and cardamom - reputed to have aphrodisiac properties.
THORNBRIDGE, Bakewell, Derbyshire, England. (thornbridgebrewery.co.uk)
Jaipur IPA 5.9% SB
A citrus dominated IPA, immediate impression is soft & smooth yet builds to a
crescendo of massive hoppiness accentuated by honey. An enduring, bitter finish.
TIMOTHY TAYLOR, Keighly, West Yorkshire, England. (timothytaylor.co.uk)
Landlord 4.3% B
A Classic Strong Pale Ale with a complex and hoppy aroma, Landlord has
won more awards nationally than any other beer.
TINY REBEL, Newport, Gwent, Wales. (tinyrebel.co.uk)
Cwtch 4.6% B
Hop from the US go into this red ale, refreshing zesty, citrus taste and
a light summer aroma.
Dirty Stop Out 5.0% P/S
9 malts go into this complex stout. Dark, with hints of smokiness & perfume aromas.
Urban IPA 5.5% G
A golden-brown IPA packed with hops from Germany, US and Slovenia
TOMOS WATKIN, Llansamlet, Swansea, Wales. (tomoswatkin.com)
Blodwen 4.5% B
Light crisp refreshing ale with a fruit aroma and easy on the palette.
Cwrw Haf 4.2% G
A blend of golding, fuggle and cascade hops. Refreshing zesty, citrus taste and
a light summer aroma.
OSB (Old Style Bitter) 4.5% B
Deep amber, full-bodied with good bitterness and a clean, lasting finish.
VIOLET COTTAGE, Gwaelod Inn, Gwaelod-y-Garth, Cardiff, Wales (www.gwaelodinn.co.uk)
Cardiff Pride 4.5% B
Brewed at Cardiff’s Pub of the Year this mid-brown ale has medium bitterness
and body with a bitter finish.
WAEN BREWERY, Caersws, Newtown, Wales. (thewaenbrewery.co.uk)
Blackberry Stout 3.8% PS
Full flavoured stout, distinctive bitter hop at back of the palette and fruity lift in the finish
First of the Summer Waen 3.9% B
Floral and malty dark gold ale
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 Golden Ale 4.2% G
A crisp and zesty beer, brewed with Maris Otter pale malt, with the succulent
aroma of the two finest English hop varieties, Goldings and Fuggles.
HPA 4.0% B
HPA is a truly delightful pale ale. It's smooth on the palate, and boasts a citrus
hop aroma leading to a balanced bitter finish.
