Our Scottish cousins are of course well known for their whiskies but the Welsh are no slouches in that department either. As we start heading in to autumn, the idea of sitting by a log fire sipping a tot of something warming is beginning to sound very appealing. In fact there are a number of distilleries and breweries right here in West Wales, so if you'd like to taste some locally made alcohol, read on.
Local Breweries and Distilleries
We are absolutely spoilt for choice - it must be something in the water....
1. Bluestone Brewing Company - Newport
Named after the famous Preseli bluestones, this award winning eco-friendly business produces a good selection of bottle craft beers. If you want to try some, we sell it in Reception or you can order yourself online.
2. In the Welsh Wind
This wonderfully named gin distillery is just outside Cardigan and well worth a visit if you like your gin. They only use botanicals native to Wales, or synonymous with it; and you can even book gin making and gin tasting experiences. They are also now distilling a 'Welsh Origin Whisky'.
3. Mantle Brewery
Based in Cardigan, this is a family-run micro brewery that produces a range of excellent Welsh Real Ales. In their first year this team won a SIBA award for their Porter Dark Heart and have won other awards since, so they know their business! If you become a fan, you can even buy a t-shirt or beanie to show your support.
4. Cardigan Brewery
This brewery is also based in Cardigan, and has some wonderful Ales and Beers, with some of the best names: Sunny Dai, Stormy Dai, Desperate Dai, and so on, and they are served in one of our favourite locals, the Teifi Waterside.
5. Dà Mhìle Distillery
Just down the road in Llandysul is Glynhynod Farm, the home of the wonderful organic Dà Mhìle Distillery. They started out in 1981 by making raw milk Caws Teifi Cheese, then 10 years later branched out into making one of the first organic whiskies. This led on to Dark Skies Rum and Seaweed Gin, inspired by the history and surroundings of this area. Head to the farm shop, or attend one of their events if organic, artisan food and drink is right up your street.
6. Jin Talog
Being organic, sustainable, and having as small an environmental footprint as possible is very important to these guys. They distil a high quality, hand-crafted gin using a closed system, then the spent juniper is composted; washing water is used to irrigate their fruit trees; all packing is bio-degradable, and the bottles are designed to look so beautiful that you'll want to use for other purposes after the gin is gone!
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