Rugby tends to unite two of Wales’ greatest treasures, real ale and rugby. Whether you’ve worked up a thirst by playing or just watching the game, there’s really no finer way to find refreshment.
There’s long been an association with rugby and beer. Wales’ largest Brewery Brains was official shirt sponsor during Wales’ first Grand Slam for 27 years and nicely sidestepped a French ban on advertising alcohol for the clash in Paris by swapping the Brains logo on the front of the shirt for that equally prized rugby attribute: “Brawn”.
Whether you’re a passionate egg-chaser whose favourite number is 15, or you like to watch the occasional Rugby match, or maybe you think Rugby is just a load of oddly-shaped balls, you’ll love this selection of must-try beers.
TOMOS & LILFORD AND WALES ALES – BAIE LEKKER BROWN ALE WITH DONUTS 5.2%abv
To celebrate the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa last summer, Tomos & Lilford and Wales Ales joined forces to show our support with a special beer.
We’ve taken a traditional style and given it a 21st century craft twist. This brown ale beauty is smooth, sweet and made with South African koeksisters donuts. As the South Africans would say, it’s Baie Lekker (very tasty)!
GREY TREES – JPR 4.7%abv
A Strong pale ale by multi-award winning Aberdare based brewery, Grey Trees. Grey Trees’ traditional British pale ale is a well balanced beer brewed with Crystal and Marris Otter pale malts, infused with US Chinook, Cascade and Simcoe hops. This imparts both a citrus aroma and citrus taste.
Inspired by the Welsh rugby legend JPR, he was noted for his aggressive attacking style. With his long sideburns and socks around his ankles, “JPR” was an iconic figure on the legendary 1970s Wales team. The greatest rewards come from catching a ball and running forward. Be inspired by how JPR danced his way forward.
CRAFTY DEVIL– MIKEY RAYER 4%abv
Going on a Mikey Rayer?! This is the beer for you! Mikey Rayer Pale Ale is low in alcohol but hopped to hell and back by the demented demons at the Crafty Devil Brewing Co in Cardiff. Brewed with Maris Otter Extra Pale Malt and Oats Mikey comes with a super light appearance and bags of mouthfeel. The addition of Cascade and Citra Hops give this beer a crisp, zesty and yet punchy flavour.
To be drunk cold while remembering Mikey Rayer versus Scotland in 1994. Two tries in the mud on the old Arms Park. It’s a title which was inspired by the former Cardiff full-back having been immortalised with his name used as a shorthand for a good old session on the booze.
MUMBLES – RED DRAGON 4.6% abv
Created to celebrate Wales reaching the finals of the European Football championship in 2016 it is still going strong, especially during Welsh sporting events. A Red Pale Ale with a complex malt mix, creating wonderful smooth mouthfeel and a bitter finish using three British Hops. This is a good old school malty belter of a bitter good for all sporting events no matter the shape of the ball.
TINWORKS – CWRW GRAV 3.9%abv
Cwrw Grav is Llanelli’s Tinworks Brewery take on a traditional Welsh bitter. This beer is all about the malt. Using a traditional malt base to bring sweetness and a dark amber colour. They wanted to add a modern twist and the best way is through the hops. Cascade, Amarillo and Simcoe bring a nice fruity lightness to the sweet malt base base. Cwrw Grav is 3.9% ABV, a nod to the famous Llanelli win against the All Blacks.
