Gala Dry

This dry cider is made by the only cider producers in Carmarthernshire - the Coles Family, based in the White Hart thatched pub in Llanddarog.

Gala Dry is cold matured for over 6 months, to produce a light and sparkling cider.

Photo - Paul Evans

As usual, with the Coles Family, the bottle is nicely presented with a cork and cradle which adds a little Asturias touch to the drinking occasion. The cider when poured is very light, with a champagne style sparkle.

Photo - Paul Evans

When the cork pops there is an aroma blast of sweet, juicy red apples.  It's very lively in the nostrils and urges you to take a sip.

This is a dry cider with an oaky finish.  None of the sweetness of the aroma is present when tasted, although it is crisp and clean, and really cleanses your palette.

3*

Arty pints no.21

Photo - Paul Evans

A pint of Fuller's London Pride.

Hung Drawn and Slaughtered

This is a 10% Barley Wine produced in Cornwall by the Castle Brewery.

Photo - Paul Evans

The beer is mahogany in appearance with a very short lasting head. It's not particularly attractive to look at but the aroma of sweet barley and black cherry is deliciously enticing.

Photo - Paul Evans

The taste is of juicy dark fruits, with hints of summer cherries and strawberries.  It's a warming beer with not much bitterness.  There is also an aftertaste of banoffee pie to add further complexities to the flavour.

I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. It's the perfect companion on these long winter nights.

4*




Great pub views no.11

Photos - Paul Evans

 The Red Lion, Penderyn.

Black Cat

This is a 3.4% dark ruby ale by Moorehouse's of Burnley, Lancashire. It's very dark in appearance, with the ruby hue only obvious when held to the light. It has a frothy cappuccino like head.

Photo - Paul Evans

Photo - Paul Evans

The aroma was of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, roasted coffee and malts. The taste gave a strong bitter kick on first sip, with flavours of dark chocolate, smooth malt and mild coffee. There was a satisfying dry finish.

3*

Arty pints no.20

Photo - Paul Evans

A bottle of Gala Sweet Cider by the Coles Family Brewery, at their pub - the White Hart, Llanddarog.

Sando Dark

Sando Dark is an 8.8% beer produced by the Millers Brewery in Meegoda, Sri Lanka.

Photo - Paul Evans

The beer is a deep mahogany colour, with a thin, short lasting white head.  The aroma is of rich malts, raisins and currants, with a definite hint of whisky barrels.

Photo - Paul Evans

This beer has a strong alcohol bite at first which warms the mouth like a dram of whisky would.  The strong flavours fade to a fullsome maltiness, very reminiscent of a Belgian Abbey beer.

There are flavours of fruit cake, dried prunes with a pungent whisky aftertaste.

Photo - Paul Evans

I'm not too sure what to make of this beer. At first I though it was excellent, but the invading whisky flavours became too intrusive the more I drank of it.  It also gave me a nasty headache the following day. I do quite like the rather ludicrous branding though, so i'll give it an extra mark just for that.

2*