This may sound like a disparate collection of potentially rather unpleasant experiences, but in fact, itÔÇÖs a small insight into a burgeoning band of individuals with some refreshingly genuine interests at heart. Dafydd Haine explores the impressive, decisive rise of CardiffÔÇÖs microbreweries and craft beer community.

In the two years or so since IÔÇÖve been living here, Cardiff seems to have exponentially increased its appeal as a fresh destination for taste and flavour. Whether it be via the slick London-based expansions arriving almost monthly on the Hayes, the intriguing pop-ups that offer all manner of palate-provoking delights, or the wonderfully numerous independents embedded across the city, the Welsh capital awards residents and visitors alike with a truly fruitful selection to choose from. Commonly, a core feature of this superb range of eateries and drinking dens would appear to be the interest shown by many of the establishments to offer something new, high-grade, or original to its customers. Fortunately, for the beer fans amongst us, CardiffÔÇÖs craft beer/microbrewery scene offers all three.

Although many of the most popular craft hubs on Westgate Street ÔÇô affectionately dubbed the ÔÇÿCraft Beer QuarterÔÇÖ by its aficionados ÔÇô have only opened in the past few years or so, there stands one institution that has been around for a good while longer. The City Arms pub, that sits just behind the Westgate strip, is a long-time favourite of CardiffÔÇÖs rugby fans, and has been around in one form or another since the 1880ÔÇÖs. Voted the capitalÔÇÖs ÔÇÿPub of the YearÔÇÖ by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale Association) in 2012, the City Arms retains not only an extensive collection of traditional real ales, but also offers a range of more contemporary craft beers, many from locals BrainsÔÇÖ nascent microbrewery – also established in 2012.

If the City Arms is the ancient – and relatively wise – player on the independently-brewed scene, around the corner on Westgate Street sits what could be considered the adolescent of the group ÔÇô Zero Degrees. A member of a small chain of microbreweries established over a decade ago, the Cardiff branch is set out in a minimalistic, brightly-lit fashion, with the gleaming brewing tanks taking up a large proportion of the cavernous space. All beers served are produced on site, and range from European-style Pilsners to more adventurous brews such as their Black Ale or Mango Beer. Similarly, although they do have as much of a permanent commercial front as Zero Degrees, another of the youngsters in CardiffÔÇÖs craft community can be found in the form of Pipes Brewery, located in Pontcanna. Set up in 2008, Pipes create a range of IPAÔÇÖs, lagers, ales and pilsners from their base on Kings Road, and are stocked not only across various venues throughout the city, but further afield as well. Beers can also be bought from their on-site shop every Saturday between 12.00 and 7.00pm.

Evidently then, the process and distribution of independent-brewing is not wholly unknown to Cardiff, and there are likely many other small outlets, and even producers, that have been steadily sharing their creations over the years. However, since 2013, the presence of a few new, youthful additions has bolstered the community, as they introduced not only a number of exciting additions in terms of beer, but also a fresh and tenacious approach to the business of microbrewing. Shoring up the Westgate Quarter, Urban Tap House opened in September 2013, whilst Aberdeen-based innovators Brew Dog arrived the following year. In a sense, both operate on a similar basis ÔÇô they are essentially the front bar of their respective breweries, but also stock an impressively expansive range of national and international craft beers. Urban Tap House are the primary distributors of the Tiny Rebel microbrewery based in Newport, whilst Brew Dog Cardiff is one of a number of the Scottish microbreweryÔÇÖs expanding chain of bars ranging from the UK, Sweden and Italy to Brazil and even Japan. Despite this growth, the company remain fiercely proud of their independent and humble origins, and aim to continue their ethos by trading with microbreweries across the world ÔÇô when the writer visited recently, they had a large import of ColoradoÔÇÖs Oskar Blues on offer alongside a range of other beers, including their signature Punk IPA and Five AM and Dead Pony ales.

Although not situated amongst the core collection of bars in the Craft Quarter, the fledgling ÔÇô and brilliantly named ÔÇô The Gravity Station on Barrack Lane (behind the St. DavidÔÇÖs Centre) also takes a similar approach and realisation to that of its Westgate Street counterparts. Linked with the Waen microbrewery in mid-Wales, it offers a selection of cask, keg and bottled beers, from their own range as well from across the globe, but with an emphasis on ÔÇÿlocalÔÇÖ brewers ÔÇô think Celt, Seren, and the aforementioned Pipes. Combined with an intimately communal drinking space ÔÇô in the form of a singular, twisting table top ÔÇô and the fact they close at 7pm, The Gravity Station offers a decidedly pleasant atmosphere in which to share a drink. Alongside its companions down in the Craft Quarter and beyond, itÔÇÖs yet another welcome addition to the refreshing, unique community that valuably contributes to CardiffÔÇÖs beer-drinking experience.

For further notable outlets of craft beers in Cardiff, see Porters Bar, The Grazing Shed, The Smoke Haus, The Lansdowne Pub and Chapter Arts Centre.