WalesFood and Drink

Cider and beer are popular and there are some great cideries and breweries across the country. 

Gwynt y Ddraig Cidery is in Pontypridd, South Wales and uses a variety of apple types to make their cider. Their Black Dragon is a popular kind. Hallets Real Cider prides itself on traditional methods and recipes, and their ‘Heartbreaker’ cider, made with Red Love apples, and featuring a deep red colour, is gaining in popularity. Ty Gwyn Cider, in Monmouthshire, follows an artisanal approach to their cider and uses locally grown apples and sustainable methods to produce its fine beverage.

Tiny Rebel Brewery in Newport, South Wales, creates award winning beer, including Cwtch, that’s won several awards, including CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain. Crafty Devil Brewing in Cardiff produces IPAs and stouts with hilarious names and labels – Helles Bells and Headshrinker are two. Purple Moose has a very Welsh beer called Cwrw Eryri (Snowdon Ale), named after Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. Purple Moose has long been an advocate for the Welsh language and cultural heritage.

No matter where you consume your beer or cider, there is sure to be good Welsh food nearby.

Cawl, a hearty soup, made with tender chunks of beef or lamb, leeks, is a staple and symbol of Welsh heritage. Rarebit, or caws pobi in Welsh, is a simple sandwich made from a creamy cheese sauce mixed with an ale or stout and a bit of mustard and Worcestershire sauce. The sauce is poured over toasted bread slices and grilled – delicious. And another traditional Welsh dish is Glamorgan Sausage. It’s a vegetarian sausage made with Caerphilly cheese and leeks and coated in breadcrumbs. The flavours are blended well and the breadcrumbs provide a good crunch. A long draught of cider or beer is very welcome alongside each of these Welsh recipes.

Also, Pendeyn is a Welsh single malt whiskey, and Merlyn is a popular cream liqueur – a magical creation from the land of legends - some say Bailey’s tastes like skimmed milk, in comparison.