Three Welsh Ales

After endless research my decision is you have to try the following three real ales at some stage in 2017.

My choice is based on :-
 Real Ale Quality.
 The service given when served
 and finally the Consistency of the quality of the ale week in week out.

The supreme choice.

Cwrw Ale by Evans Evans, served at the White Horse in Llandeilo.  This is a serious real ale pub.  Serving outstanding ale 52 weeks of the year.

A warm greeting every time.  A log fire in the winter , with a heated bench to sit on in the public bar.  Plus a shaded courtyard for the summer with a lovely sun trap of a rear beer garden, full of buddleia and butterflies.

My Second Choice is Felinfoel Double Dragon.

Note: F is pronounced V, in welsh, FF is pronounced F and DD is TH.

Brewed locally here in Felinfoel and served throughout Llanelli.

I choose to drink this at the New Drovers in Thomas Street, Llanelli.

This quirky bohemian style pub, with a cozy open coal fire in the winter.  The Double Dragon is always amazing here but sadly only opens Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Finally, my wild card is The Reverend James.

Ideally served at the Stradey Arms in Llanelli.

This establishment is more of an eatery, serving home cooked welsh food.  However, the Landlord here is passionate about his ales.   I firmly suggest you order from the starter menu a home made scotch egg with piccalilli to go with the Rev James.

The five litre glass special !

Note: For our readers from overseas real ale is a living, breathing organism.  It has a short shelf life and has no preservatives.  Not to be served too cold, as this will kill off the subtle flavour.  It is flat, although a little head can be achieved if pulled properly from the old style hand pumps.

Temperature is of vital importance it must not be served cold as previously stated but at Victorian room temperature i.e. before radiators were introduced.   Ideally between 12 - 14 degrees C.   Don't forget it is traditionally overcast and raining in the UK, so real ale was rarely drunk in the outdoor sun as this is not lager.  Ale goes off quickly and if not ready to drink and has not settled the beer will still be cloudy, avoid this.  It takes a lot of work to keep this type of ale in pristine condition and similarly there is a lot of work finding a good pint.  Sadly these days there are more poorly served pints than good and lager is taking over. But where is the fun in knowing every time your pint will taste the same.  The adventure is the exploration, the tasting and the banter with the Landlord and locals, and the sheer pleasure when you find that one pint that screams to you YES, this is it and I'm in perfect condition, Drink Me !