The Ale Stuff

Of course you know by now that here at the Oakeley Arms bar we are passionate about our Welsh Real Ales. Indeed so passionate that we were awarded the prestigious Casque Marque last year, for our dedication to storing and serving delicious ales.

So we were thrilled to hear the news that, according to a local ale festival, the rise in popularity of craft beers and real ales has helped to keep small breweries, and many pubs, afloat in a difficult time. Not long ago, real ale struggled to shake off it’s old fashioned image but thanks to drinkers looking for more unique tastes and local flavours, the real ale movement came back into fashion a few years ago and has been growing rapidly ever since. Beer festivals are no longer just for pensioners, but are attracting a whole new audience of younger drinkers.

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And of course, here in Snowdonia and North Wales, there are plenty of small and local breweries capturing the taste of Wales and producing delicious Welsh Real Ale, and here are some of our favourite!

• Purple Moose Brewery – based just a short hop from the Oakeley Arms in the town of Porthmadog, this small brewery is responsible for the ever popular Snowdonia Ale, Glaslyn Ale and Dark Side of the Moose.
• Conwy Brewery – this small brewery on the north Wales coast at Conwy have been producing delicious Welsh Real ale for over ten years. Their range includes favourites like Welsh Pride, Clogwyn Gold and Honey Fayre.
• The Great Orme Brewery – in the shadow of the mighty Great Orme at the seaside resort of Llandudno is the Great Orme Brewery, famed for their tasty range of Welsh real ales, all brewed with natural ingredients and to traditional methods.
• Big Bog Brewery – a micro brewery in the small village of Waunfawr, the ale at Big Big is made only with pure Snowdonia water for very moreish ales!
• Bragdy Nant Brewery – situated near Llanrwst, this small brewery have been producing fine Welsh ales for almost 7 years. Even the critics agree because their Mwnci Nel ale was the Champion Beer of Wales in the 2010 Camra Beer Awards.

Ales from many of these producers (and more!) are frequently available at the Oakeley Arms bar, so come and join us for a delicious pint of Welsh real ale. See you at the bar!