Chris Holyfield is our guest blogger this week; he works
for Conwy Brewery who have been producing fantastic
cask and bottle conditioned ales since 2003 in the Conwy Valley. He
talks us through some of the best places in North Wales to enjoy a
cold, mouth-wateringly good pint (or a tasting tray of several
smaller measures, if that's your thing!).
The Albion, Conwy
An incredible collaborative effort by 4 North Wales breweries has
seen Conwy, Nant, Great Orme and Purple Moose run this pub since
2012. It has since won Wales Pub of The Year once and North Wales
Pub of The Year on several occasions. The old 1920's interior has
been resurrected, making it a good old-fashioned pub again,
complete with roaring open fires in the winter months - great to
warm yourself in front of after a bracing sea-front walk! No music,
no televisions, no sport (apart from Wales' rugby games), just a
place for a good chat and a fantastic pint of course! The Albion
has become the cornerstone for real ale drinkers not just in Conwy
but across North Wales. Groups from far and wide regularly make
their pilgrimage to this North Wales real ale 'Mecca'.
A tasting tray at The
Albion
The Bridge, Conwy
Following on from the success of The Albion, The Bridge was taken
over by the same 4 breweries and re-opened in 2015, but don't
expect a carbon copy of The Albion. Situated opposite Conwy Castle,
with a fantastic view of the castle walls, expect excellent home
cooked food but with the a focus on lovely, local real ale. There
are 5 different rotating ales and a real cider always available.
The Bridge holds lots of events such as a vinyl club, gin tastings
and a weekly quiz. A cosy, friendly pub. Perfect for when the
weather isn't at it's best.
The Ship Inn, Red Wharf Bay
Situated overlooking Red Wharf Bay on the eastern side of
Anglesey; 'picturesque' is the word that immediately springs to
mind. The Ship is a traditional 19th Century inn with original
period features...there's a certain charm about the place. Another
pub with fantastic home cooked food available and local real ales.
There are fantastic walks from here to Benllech and Moelfre along
the beach and across the beautiful Anglesey countryside. Or you
could just sit in the beer garden at the front overlooking the bay
with a pint!
Nicole, our Marketing Manager,
enjoying a pint at The Ship Inn
Ye Olde Bull's Head, Beaumaris
There is an elegance and sophistication about the Bull's Head and
the Townhouse opposite that sums up Beaumaris nicely. A Grade II
listed 15th Century inn that has been modernised respectfully and
offers the option of pub fayre or fine dining in the loft
brasserie. A large amount of the original features remain,
including the back gate which happens to be the largest single
hinged door in the world! There is also plenty to do in Beaumaris
with the Edwardian Beaumaris Castle and the pier a short walk
away.
The Australia, Porthmadog
The most recent acquisition by the Albion Ale House group, this
pub has been restored to its original name after some years as the
Gestiana. The sign for the pub features a 19th century wooden ship
but quizically there was no ship named this locally and the ships
that carried local quarried slate did not travel to Australia! The
pub is located right in the middle of the popular tourist town of
Porthmadog with attractions such as Black Rock Sands and
Portmeirion village only a short drive away. The Australia boasts 8
hand pulled ales and 2 ciders as well as offering home cooked
meals; this ale house is more akin to the Albion in style. CAMRA
Gwynedd a Mon Pub of the Year 2016.
Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr
A unique entry to this list as this country pub has a microbrewery
on site. All the real ale on sale here has been brewed on the brew
kit upstairs and some 10 different ales are produced.
Unsurprisingly, the Snowdonia Parc won CAMRA Gwynedd a Mon Pub of
the Year between 2012-2015. The pub is on the narrow gauge Welsh
Highland Railway line and the stop is a short distance away. The
pub takes part in the annual Rail Ale festival held in May in nearby
Dinas and is accessible using the railway. There is also a campsite
linked to the pub a short walk away.
Ty Coch, Porthdinllaen
The Ty Coch (meaning Red House in Welsh) has been rated one of the
top 10 beach bars in the world. Only accessible by walking along
the beach, across Nefyn golf course or by boat, this pub is like no
other. It couldn't be closer to the beach if it tried and gets
incredibly busy in the peak season. The view of the Llyn Peninsula
from the benches outside is absolutely stunning and there is no
surprise it is rated so highly. The walk along the beach from Morfa
Nefyn is a fantastic way to get to the pub, especially on a sunny
day.
The view from the Ty Coch
Inn