When you get off a train at Cardiff central on a Monday morning after a rugby international you are greeted first with the sound of the dive bombing seagulls from the River Taff, then the more welcoming smell of beer being brewed from the Cardiff brewery that is S A Brains – it’s a smell that reminds people of many things, for me it takes me back to my first pint of SA in the Athletic club in Pontyclun, many years a go.
Brains are synonymous with the city and it’s beers are seen as a great Welsh traditional not only to rugby fans that descend on the city from the valleys in their droves – but the Kardiffians – who luvs half a dark.
I was invited by Brains to spend the afternoon of St David’s Day with them, not only to celebrate our Patron Saints Day but to celebrate the 1st Birthday of Brains Black , their Welsh Stout, which is doing very well against a certain Irish brand.
The day started well with a tour of the Brewery tour with Bill Dobson, the head brewer, he was very passionate about their bottled SA gold, which I have overlooked a bit in the past – but think it will be a great summer addition to my beercupboard.
I had visited the former brewery on St Mary Street before it closed in the late 1990’s but this was my first visit into the heart of the current brewhouse, which is on the site of the former Bass/Hancock Brewery – of course one my fellow visitors Arfur Daley could tell you the proper history.
We started at the top in the mill and tasted some raw ingredients – why can’t all pubs have malted Barley or even oats on the bar (like the City Arms) for you to nibble on.
The tour carried going through the whole process of brewing the mashing and Fermentation, but you lot know the process better than me.
The fermenting stage was a highlight, the smell of the Dark bubbling away in the tanks was great, some got bananas in the air but all I could smell a sweet/sour flavor like a lambic, of course Dark is not that at like that in its finished state… so maybe it was the heady aromas in the brewery that confused me.
The casking area was hive of activity and their even had a shed, my two loves beer and sheds in one place – yes this was a perfect day.
The tour was completed with a session of their beers in the sample cellar where the products are checked from each batch created.
This is a dream for any beer geek, seeing the barrels stacked up to be tasted being poured by the head brewer – all the main Brains Cask range were on offer and tasted great straight from the barrel.
Brains Bitter (3.7% ABV) – Not had one of these for years (prefer stronger beers) but it’s an easy to drink session beer originally brewed for working man in Cardiff (when there were steelworks and shipbuilding and not sitting on their behinds all day in an office like me) – uses Goldings and Fuggles hops
Brains SA (4.2% ABV) – a stable of the Cardiff pubs with a reputation with traveling rugby fans- Challenger, Goldings and Fuggles hops used.
SA gold (4.7% ABV) – a great refreshing beer late-hopped using Cascade and Styrian Goldings, that’s proving very popular in bottles (and not just with the head brewer)
Rev. James (4.5% ABV) – a great dark copper beer with lots of caramel – named after the founder of Buckley’s Brewery which Brains purchased in 1997.
Milkwood 4.3% ABV – a seasonal ale, not had this before but very nice – the rye crystal and malted oats gives it a great consistency – and yes it tasted milky! – It was brewed in dedication to the renowned Welsh poet & drinker Dylan Thomas.
and finishing with Brains Dark 3.5% ABV– or RD (Red Dragon ) Dark as it’s know in the company – the best Mild in the UK and a favorite of mine – even though its not strong its the prefect pint every time.
We had lunch (a selection of Welsh themed dishes), including a brilliant Red mustard and Bara brith pudding, at their famous Brewery Tap, the Crawshay Arms – the best pub in Cardiff as there is no till;) and is not normally open to the public.
The afternoon ended with a tour of a couple of their great City Centre pubs, which I seem to spend more and more time in nowadays the City Arms and Goat Major.
It’s excellent news for the Real Ale drinkers in Cardiff that Brains is also welcoming more and more guest beers in their pubs – this will pull in more punters not just from the local area but further field who will see Cardiff as a great place to come and drink quality beers.
The evening ended for me quite early (8ish) anyway, in the Yard, which has just been given a make over – for the Birthday party for their excellent stout Brains Black.
I am sure Samuel Arthur would be proud that his name is being used on some great beers, and thanks to him I was spending a day in the company of people as passionate about beer as myself – my other tour members were respected beer writers Adrian Tierney-Jones and Tim Hampson, Editor of the Brew Wales Arfur Daley and youtube beer video blogger Simon Martin
People who know me – know I am a grumpy sheddie most of the time – and even mrsuw has her moments – but I normally don’t grump much in my blog posts (beer & sheds are my norm) but when one idea for Cardiff keeps coming back again and each time nothing happens.
How much consultation money has been spent over the years on these projects (enough to electrify the rail line from Cardiff to Swansea I would think;)
I am sure we hear about this every few years – look from the BBC 1986 talking about the redevelopment of Tiger bay, previously it was the pod like body snatchers Urban LIght Transport – what happened to that
Anyway all I can think of is the monorail song from the Simpsons
Marge: But Main Street’s still all cracked and broken…
Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken!
Lyle Lanley: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail!
What'd I say?
Ned Flanders: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
Patty+Selma: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail!
[crowd chants `Monorail' softly and rhythmically]
Miss Hoover: I hear those things are awfully loud...
Lyle Lanley: It glides as softly as a cloud.
Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend?
Lyle Lanley: Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs?
Lyle Lanley: You'll be given cushy jobs.
Abe: Were you sent here by the devil?
Lyle Lanley: No, good sir, I'm on the level.
Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can.
Lyle Lanley: Take my pen knife, my good man.
I swear it's Springfield's only choice...
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: Once again...
All: Monorail!
Marge: But Main Street's still all cracked and broken...
Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken!
All: Monorail!
Monorail!
Monorail!
[big finish]
Monorail!
Homer: Mono... D'oh!
As anyone who knows me would realise that I am not a follower of fashion so would not normally go into the many hipster boutiques scattered around the Victorian arcades of Cardiff, but I made the exception to go to this one, well, the cafe anyway, It’s an add-on to the trendy shop on the corner of Castle Arcade, Barkers.
The food was not cheap , but once I got my smoked ham and brie (I know sorry) toasty I evaluated the price – it was well worth it.
It has the thickness slice of Welsh ham that I have not see since my nan used to try and feed me up when I was a boy.
It tasted great… and I even had to share some with mrsuw.
They had a great selection of I assume home-made cakes and lots of posh teas (from those teapigs lot) and the obligatory shiny coffee machine – in fact everything was shiny from the bespoke designer chairs to the lamps on the tables there was ironic indie covers of rubbish pop songs in the background, maybe they need to get some Richard Cheese on as well.
The cafe looked great design wise (sorry for the photos there was a lot of chrome) – a bit fancy for me – but will be popular with trendies and ladies that lunch, if only they can find it as there are no signs on top of St Mary Street or by the arcade to say their is a new cafe open..
If you are of the Fashionista type and are too stuck up for the costa’s, starbucks etc that are littering every high street round the country, then bring your man bags here, but watch out a for bearded tramp like bloke in the corner snacking on a doorstop of ham it maybe me.
I spent the late evening on Friday in Cardiff with the Mrs, her brother and his mrs.
We watched the early fireworks from a great vantage point and went out for a few pints of ale and some food around 9.30pm, but there was not much choice.
To my horror all my normal watering holes were closed by this time, The City Arms, the Goat Major and most of the other Brains houses.
We managed to get a few pints (Wye valley HPA & Black Sheep) in the recently reopened Rummer Tavern which was half empty before a quick dash over to the Civic centre to see in the new year with a T-rex tribute band and an overpriced Guinness in a cracked plastic glass.
I can understand that people don’t want to work on New years eve (well I was working till 8ish), but to have a so called exciting capital city’s decent pubs closed mid evening is not a good advertisement for Cardiff as a “Destination City”
Some of the large chain pubs/clubs were still open but we decided to go back as spending the rest of the New years night in a ‘spoons (even if they may have had ale on) was not something we wanted to do (drunken gangs being one reason), of course Iam happy to go to them most nights the rest of the year 🙂
anyway a good time was had by all even if I do sound like a moaning wossname.
Happy New Year and hope you have a great beery one.
The City Arms reopened in Cardiff this weekend in time for the first Autumn international as a proper Real Ale pub!
The City Arms was built in the 1880’s – the same decade Brains was founded – but was known then as the Cattle Market. It was later renamed Dovers Arms, but became the City Arms in 1905 in celebration of the new ‘City’ status.
The Real Ale fans of Cardiff are rejoicing to the news (well I am), as apart from Spoons, there are not a lot of pubs with more than one Guest Ale on in the City Centre, especially Brains pubs, the Goat Major was doing the business for a while, but has slowed down recently in it’s selection.
I had a great time on Friday evening when I was lucky enough to sample a good selection what was on offer, thanks to the people from Brains for the invite to the opening.. the beer bottle selection was great as well and Duvel (green) on tap is a great addition.
Here are a selection of the beers that I had, the good news is that Otley brewery are providing the casks ales, so will look forward to a great range of Welsh Beers and some from further afield.
From Brains:
After reworking the bar area and giving the interior and exterior a lick of paint, the pub’s manager, Chris Partridge, is looking forward to welcoming new and returning customers: “The biggest change has happened behind the bar. Every day there will be up to eight cask (or real) ales on draught, two of which will be served direct from the cask, a range of draught imported beers and more than 20 different bottled beers and ciders.”
The City Arms can now boast to housing the biggest selection of beers in Brains’ entire pub estate. And, as Philip Lay, Retail Director at Brains explains, cask ale is a big part of that offer: “Cask ale is becoming something of a star performer in the beer market so we’re confident the City Arms will be a big draw. Last year overall cask ale sales increased by 5% and the number of 18-24 year old drinkers grew by 17%*, which suggests that the traditional ‘old man in a flat cap’ image is finally being shed.
“This is a pub rich in tradition, with a fantastic atmosphere and an unrivalled range of beers and we hope to attract customers of all ages.”
It’s the old Brains pub on Quay St just opposite the Millennium Stadium, they have not made many changes to the pub just cleaned it up a bit (which it needed) – the City Arms may have been a traditional pub and popular when a game was on, but the times I went there, it was not a haven for good real ale to be honest the welcome was not that, well welcome!
But a pub in this position needs some love and its good to see Brains doing it and upping its Real Ale game, wonder if they have plans for the model Inn, just round the corner.
The cask ales list for the launch are from some great Welsh Breweries and some excellent English ones, so looks like a good start..
10 cask ales, Otley, Breconshire, VOG, St Austell, Wickwar, Rhymney and of course Brains – IPA, SA, Dark & Rev
Tribute
St. Austell (Cornwall)
Rich, juicy, malty & hoppy
4.2%
Rite Flanker
Wickwar (Gloucestershire)
Chestnut ale with hints of malt & fruit
4.3%
Grog Y Vog
Vale of Glamorgan Brewery (Barry)
Fresh flavoured golden ale
4.3%
Export
Rhymney Brewery (Merthyr Tydfil)
Full bodied mixed malts, well rounded and easy drinking
5%
Red Dragon
Breconshire Brewery (Brecon)
Smooth and easy drinking with biscuity malt flavours
4.7%
Bread of Heaven
Brains (Cardiff)
Ale with a reddish hue and a moreish fruit finish
4%
also for the non real ale fan – 7 draught imported beers and 24 different bottled beers and ciders from all over the shop (as posted on twitter by @Brains_Ian)
I hope Brains let us know what ales are on every week – using the power of the webs.
I think it may become my Cardiff local (after the Goat) of course depending on price;)
I can see the City Arms becoming a mecca for Real lovers people visiting Cardiff, Well done Brains – you have used yours.
I was drinking it in my favourite Cardiff Pub the Goat Major, where I normally go for the lovely Brains Dark if they don’t have a guest on.
Brewdog Edge is a “dark” like beer – being a mild with a low ABR 3.2% but with a nuttier taste than it’s Welsh cousin – a definite winner, now if brewdog do Edge in bottles I would get a crate in for the shed- this one would be a keeper.
I have a few of their stronger bottles, but they always pack some great flavor into any brew they do.
On Friday myself and my son were going to the Photomarathon exhibition at the old library in the Hayes in Cardiff as we were two of the numbers!
But on the way we decided to get some food and popped into the newly refurbished Duke of Wellington, not normally my cup of tea a posh new pub.. but we were hungry and I fancied a pint.
From Brains website : Situated in the Hayes, in Cardiff city centre the Duke of Wellington is an ideal location for a relaxing drink and bite to eat whilst taking a break from the hustle & bustle of the city. A combination of traditional British inn and contemporary style, the Duke of Wellington offers a great selection of food for quick lunches and light bites including sharing platters and tapas. We have a great range of cask ales as well as continental beers and a variety of wines, soft drinks and coffees.
They have spent a bit of money doing it up they have a the full range of Brains Beers and for the moment a Guest Ale the lovely Everards Sunchaser Blonde (which hopefully they will continue with some great regional beers)- the prices were not that cheap for drinks (over £2.50 a pint I think but not sure :()
But they had a great snack menu with Six Items for £12 (from 5pm) which for two of us was just enough.
The selection from the menu we had was
Calamari (in thick batter) X 2
Blanche Bait (yes that’s white bait) very big and juicy
Prawns with a wonderful Garlic butter sauce to dip in X 2
Lamb Kofta with a great sauce
They have other more meaty items on the menu as well.
The staff were a bit over clinging, but suppose they want to make a good impression on a new pub , I forgot how many times I was asked “everything ok Guys” – yes it was thanks.
There were not that many people in the pub as most where making use of the “alfresco” area out the front – we are not the continent how ever much the marketing people try and tell us 🙂 and I am sure the whiff from Caroline street which the pub is on the corner may affect the punters outside.
anyway I will be visiting again as the mini toad in the hole and mini pies look good as well.
I managed to only get an hour down the Cardiff bay food & drink festival on the Saturday, but luckily went back with the mrs on the Sunday for the whole afternoon and got home in time for the Football.
Some great food and drink to be had, we managed a glass of one of the new Neath brewery ales – Green Bullet which was a 6% IPA that was very drinkable on a hot day.
Otley were there in force again this year & I really enjoyed their new O7 Weissen style beer, was lucky to have half on the saturday, as it had sold out by the my return on the Sunday..
The other beer I had from the Ponty brwer was the O5 which I have not had before, but seen it all over the shop and the O-garden went down well with my better half, hopefully they will have more of the Weissen at their Golden Ale festival this weekend.
I also had a taste of new brewers Untapped and their lovely Eclipse which I may get a few bottles in to add to my Dark collection.
Also had some tasters of the excellent Gwatkin Cider (and bought a bottle of Norman to take home) but not sure about their bar staff 😉 anyway ArfurD has a more in depth review of the beer and brewers that were in attendance.
of course the day was not just about Drinking (boo) but we had plenty of free samples of food and managed to spend a bomb on things such as a Wensleydale & cranberry Scotch Eggs
Cockles from penclawdd and other seafood
some great value Venison sausages and the best pastry on any pie I have had in a long time and two massive cakes.
The atmosphere was great and of course this was helped by the brilliant weather, some great music (which I can’t remember what they were called)
