The Plate Up British Beer Play-Off - Round 2: Cwrw Cymru!

Cwrw Mel Conwy Honey Fayre

A very lively beer – even when poured with great care the head is irrepressible, topping a misty sunset amber glow with a pleasing foamy ‘cloud’… The honey is mainly in the aroma that is also rich with malt and hops. The flavour is surprisingly well balanced and clean with a soft summer lightness leading you along into a deep middle palette satisfaction which finished well with very little bitterness. This will convert you to bottle-conditioned ales... Head (and shoulders) above many rivals.

Brewed to celebrate the annual institition that is the Conwy Honey Fair.

Bragdy'r Gogarth - Orme

A nice tingle of freshness on the tongue tip with gentle bubbles and a full soft texture giving a deep burnt molasses richness of malt on the mid palette. There is a bitter finish at the back of the tongue, but off-set with a little sweetness reminiscent of malt loaf. Its deep orange brown looks a bit toffee-coloured and even after a sweet desert it holds it own with the matching toffee notes in its flavour that gives enough sweetness and a lingering finish. Perhaps not best suited to warm summer evening, but would make a top notch winter beer and a great festive choice.

Double Dragon

Proclaiming to be the "national ales of Wales", this is a golden coloured, refreshing beer that is as versatile as a lager, but with a bit more character, with a nicely dry finish. A great all-rounder from the Felinfoel brewery, and very drinkable.

The Rev James

From the Brains brewery, this is an Almost a definitive brown ale: deep colour and flavour with a lovely pear-drop lightness. There is ‘metal’ in the aroma though the flavour is rich and malty with just enough edge to balance the velvety roundness. There is a crispness along with a softer and satisfying spicing that hints of mince pies. This would work on a hot day in the beer garden and also as a winter warmer. Impressive.

AND THE WINNER IS…

Conwy Honey Fayre – or it just could be… Orme? Well one of those two! Both are exceptional beers… for a warm summer evening then perhaps Conwy has the edge… then again perhaps Orme. This definitely needs further testing! One thing that is clear from this round of the Plate Up Play-Offs is that there are some truly great beers being produced in Wales.

Websites: Bragdy Conwy, Bragdy'r Gogarth / Great Orme Brewery, Felinfoel / Double Dragon, Brain's Rev. James