Cowbridge real ale festival returns

Winner of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Local Pub of the Year, the Vale of Glamorgan Inn can be found at 51 High Street, Cowbridge, CF71 7AE. For further information about the Real Ale Festival ring: 01446 772252

Jonny’s Pick of the Pints:

Having lived in York, I am no stranger to real ale. It is, as they say, the town for a pub or bar for every day of the year. Here are my picks of the ales brewed by the guests coming to the Vale of Glamorgan Inn:

Bullmastiff Brewery: Son of a Bitch (6%)
A rich amber blend of malt, hops and fruit with a dry, lasting finish. Just be careful when ordering it so the bartender does not get insulted.

Kite Brewery: Thunderbird (4.5%)
This is a brown, malty beer with plenty of hops. There is also a pinch of fruit in this lightly dry beer.

Otley Brewing Company: O2 Croeso (4.2%)
Champion Beer of Wales 2012, this golden ale has citrus tastes and aromas.

The Celt Experience: Bleddyn 1075 (7.6%)
Named after a powerful Welsh king, this pale ale is as strong as its namesake. It is both bitter and sweet with hints of citrus and grapefruit.

Gwynt y Ddraig: Farmhouse Pyder (6%)
This unusual blend of apple and pear juice is fermented and matured in wood giving it an earthy aroma.

Gwynt y Ddraig: Happy Daze (4.5%)
New to Gwynt, this cider is fruity and quite light so is easy to drink – a clever name for it then.