Discover Monty’s Brewery: The Heart of Welsh Craft Beer

If you’re exploring the best of Welsh food and drink, few names stand out quite like Monty’s Brewery. 

Nestled in the charming market town of Montgomery, Powys, this award-winning independent brewery has been putting Mid Wales firmly on the craft beer map since 2009, one beer at a time.

A Taste of Wales in Every Glass

Founded by husband-and-wife team Pam and Russ Honeyman, Monty’s Brewery began as a small local project with a big idea: to brew exceptional beers that showcase Welsh quality and flavour.

Today, Monty’s has become one of Wales’s most respected independent breweries, known not just for great taste but also for innovation and inclusivity.

One of their biggest achievements?

They were among the first UK breweries to produce a range of certified gluten-free beers, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a true craft ale experience, no compromises required.

Award-Winning Ales and Modern Classics

Monty’s beers combine traditional British brewing with contemporary flavour. Whether you prefer a light golden ale or a dark, rich stout, there’s something in their range for every palate.

Masquerade

A smooth golden ale, refreshingly crisp and completely gluten-free. It’s the ideal companion for a summer afternoon or a Welsh cheese board.

Sunshine

As its name suggests, this bright, lively ale brings warmth to any day. Perfect for pairing with grilled meats or fish dishes.

Gwyn a Du

A beautifully balanced stout, full of roasted malt flavour, gentle chocolate notes and a surprisingly clean finish. It’s also gluten-free, proof that indulgence doesn’t have to exclude anyone. This is a personal favourite of my wife, who is a coeliac who loves proper stout beers.

Mischief IPA

A bold, hop-forward India Pale Ale that delivers citrus and pine notes with a smooth, malty base. A fine choice for anyone who enjoys the modern craft-beer style.

Each of these beers is brewed, bottled, and labelled on-site in Montgomery, ensuring total quality control and a sustainable, small-batch approach.

The Gluten-Free Difference

Monty’s Brewery has earned praise across the UK for pioneering gluten-free brewing.

Instead of relying on substitutes, they’ve developed a brewing process that removes gluten after fermentation, preserving the full flavour and body of their beers.

For those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivities, Monty’s beers offer a rare treat: genuine craft beer with no restrictions.

It’s a thoughtful, inclusive touch that reflects the brand’s wider ethos,  everyone deserves to enjoy great Welsh beer.

Visit Monty’s in Montgomery

For those travelling through Mid Wales, The Cottage, Monty’s Brewery Visitor Centre is well worth a stop. Set among rolling hills and historic streets, it’s a delightful spot to sample beers, pick up gifts, and learn about the brewing process.

Visitors can:

Sample Monty’s full range of beers, including seasonal releases

Watch small-scale brewing demonstrations

Purchase gift packs and local produce

Explore Montgomery’s independent shops and stunning countryside

It’s a perfect day out for anyone combining beer tourism with a taste of real Welsh hospitality.

(Always drink responsibly — plan your visit around a local stay or make use of transport links.)

Pairing Welsh Beer with Welsh Food

One of the joys of Monty’s beer range is how well it pairs with traditional Welsh fare. Here are a few easy ideas for your next meal or tasting evening:

Masquerade with Welsh rarebit or leek and cheese tart

Gwyn a Du stout with chocolate brownies or rich beef casserole

Sunshine ale alongside smoked salmon or Welsh lamb burgers

Mischief IPA with spicy sausage, curry or mature cheddar

Local ingredients meet local brewing — a match made in culinary heaven.

Sustainability and Craftsmanship

Monty’s is a proud advocate of sustainable brewing. From reusing spent grain in local agriculture to bottling on site and minimising waste, the brewery exemplifies what small-scale, responsible production looks like in practice.

They’re also accredited under the SALSA Plus Beer scheme, which recognises high standards in food safety and quality control. It’s another reason why Monty’s continues to attract attention from retailers and beer lovers alike.

Where to Buy Monty’s Beers

You can find Monty’s beers across Wales and the UK, both in pubs and through specialist retailers.

For online shopping, check their official site at montysbrewery.co.uk or browse curated selections at stores such as Best of British Beer and Blas ar Fwyd.

Why Monty’s Matters

Monty’s Brewery embodies everything we love about Welsh craft brewing, independence, inclusivity, community, and exceptional taste. It’s a brand that doesn’t chase trends but builds them, one careful batch at a time.

Whether you’re gluten-free, a craft-beer enthusiast, or simply someone who loves exploring local flavours, Monty’s offers a reason to raise your glass to Wales.

Plan Your Welsh Beer Adventure

Next time you’re in Powys or planning a weekend away, make Montgomery part of your itinerary. Visit Monty’s Brewery, meet the team, and taste why this little Welsh brewery has made such a big name for itself in the world of beer.

Cheers to Monty’s — the taste of Mid Wales in every drop.

You can also buy their beers at this link which will earn That's Food and Drink a modest affiliate fee:-

https://amzn.to/4reb4dV

Discover the Charm of Joules Pubs: A West Midlands Must-Visit for Food and Ale Lovers

If you find yourself in the West Midlands and have a hankering for hearty food, brilliant beer, and a quintessentially British pub experience, there’s one name you should absolutely seek out – Joules.

Steeped in tradition and brimming with character, Joules Brewery is a proudly independent Shropshire-based brewery with deep roots in the region's brewing heritage. 

Their distinctive red cross logo  is an ancient marker of quality and finding it outside a pub is a good sign you’re in for something special.

A Slice of History in Every Sip

The Joules name dates back to 1758, making it one of the most storied breweries in the UK. After a brief hiatus, the brewery was revived in Market Drayton in the early 2000s, where it continues to produce award-winning ales using traditional methods and local ingredients.

Their beers pay homage to the past while embracing the present – from the classic Joules Pale Ale, a crisp and refreshing drink with subtle hoppy bitterness, to the rich and smooth Slumbering Monk, a full-bodied favourite that’s perfect for cooler evenings.

Don’t Miss: Green Monkey

One of the stars of the Joules lineup is Green Monkey, a clean, continental-style lager with a cheeky name and a serious fan base. Brewed with natural mineral water and fine hops, it’s incredibly drinkable and pairs beautifully with food – particularly fish and chips, burgers or anything grilled.

Joules pubs also serve a variety of IPAs, stouts and seasonal brews that rotate throughout the year. Whether you prefer something light and citrusy or dark and malty, there’s always something interesting on tap. And they have a fine range of wines, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks, too.

Food that Feeds the Soul

While Joules may be known for their beer, don’t overlook the food. Joules pubs focus on locally sourced ingredients, classic British dishes, and generous portions. Expect to find everything from homemade pies and Sunday roasts to artisan burgers, ploughman’s lunches and vegetarian specials. The menus vary slightly from pub to pub, giving each one a unique flavour.

Some even offer beer-infused dishes – think steak and ale pie made with Joules’ own brew, or ale-battered fish served with hand-cut chips and mushy peas.

A Pub Experience Like No Other

Walking into a Joules pub is like stepping into a cosy, character-filled haven. They take pride in restoring historic pubs or building new ones that echo traditional styles – complete with oak beams, open fires, flagstone floors and a welcoming atmosphere.

They’re not part of a faceless chain. Each Joules pub has its own identity, with friendly staff, thoughtful décor and a real sense of place. Dogs and muddy boots are often welcome, and you’ll find everything from quiz nights to acoustic sessions depending on where you go.

Where to Find Joules Pubs

While Joules Brewery is based in Market Drayton, you’ll find their pubs dotted around Staffordshire, Shropshire, the Black Country, Cheshire and into Wales, ideal for a detour during a Midlands countryside walk, a day out in a market town, or even a short pub crawl in a historic village.

Some popular Joules pubs include:

The Crown Wharf (Stone) – a striking canalside venue with great views and even better beer

The Henry Tudor Inn Barracks Passage, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury

The Red Lion (Market Drayton) – the original Joules Tap House, bursting with charm and history

The Cock Hotel, Wellington, Shropshire, an ancient coaching inn

The New Inn, Newport, Shropshire,

The Red Lion, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

The Cross Keys, Chester

The Royal Oak, Wrexham, Wales

To check out the 40+ tap houses visit https://www.joulesbrewery.co.uk/our-taphouses

Joules pubs are a true Midlands treasure. They combine heritage, hospitality and hand-crafted brewing in a way that few other pub groups can match. Whether you’re a beer aficionado, a lover of British pub culture, or simply someone looking for a very good meal in good company, a Joules pub is always worth seeking out.

So next time you’re in the West Midlands, follow the red cross – and raise a glass to one of Britain’s finest independent breweries. Cheers!

https://www.joulesbrewery.co.uk

Two of my favourite brewers collaborate and make the perfect Northern Stout

Two of the North's most celebrated brewers have collaborated for the first time to launch a 4.4% stout, Northern Rising.

The culmination of over a year's worth of work between the two award-winning breweries, Northern Rising will be released in cask and keg within Northern Monk's and Timothy Taylor's own venues, and in pubs across the UK, plus 440ml nitro stout cans in supermarkets and online. (Which I'll have to look out for, obviously!)

The team at Timothy Taylor's and Northern Monk have used specially selected roast barley and crystal malt in the brew, so expect a malt-forward and satisfying chocolate flavour. 

Golden Promise malt is also in the mix, a staple of Timothy Taylor's cask ales, which gives the beer that trademark full body and ultimately satisfying mouthfeel.

Russell Bisset, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Northern Monk, said: “We've been huge fans of Timothy Taylor's for many years and a collaboration with them has always been on our bucket list. It's a collaboration years in the making from when we first floated the idea of working together.

“We settled on a beer style that's 300 years old, started in London and made famous in Dublin. We had fun getting together and developing different concepts on what we could do together and landed on a stout, an exciting challenge. Stouts are the fastest growing beer style in the UK, and we're stoked for people to try our take on a classic.”

Andy Leman, Timothy Taylor's Head Brewer, said: “Northern Monk is a fellow Yorkshire brewery that we've been proud to call a friend for many years, and one that has produced some of the most exciting craft beers in the country. 

"It's been fantastic to blend their craft beer credentials with our real ale expertise to produce Northern Rising, a truly delicious stout.”

Northern Rising will be pouring at Timothy Taylor's and Northern Monk venues on cask or keg, at the famous Keighley & Worth Valley Beer Festival which runs from 17-20 October, and in selected bars and pubs across the UK from mid-October.

It will also launch in nitro stout can in 400 Morrisons stores from the end of October and will be available from both northernmonk.com and timothytaylorshop.co.uk.

Northern Monk and Timothy Taylor's will release details of launch events and stockists through their social media channels and websites, so stay tuned.

https://www.northernmonk.com

https://www.timothytaylorshop.co.uk

Insta: @northernmonk

Insta: @timothytaylorsbrewery

Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival 11 to 22 October

Between Wednesday 11th October to Sunday 22nd October the Wetherspoon pub company is running another of its highly successful and very popular real ale festivals at all of its pubs up and down the country.

Real ale fans will be able to sample beers from award-winning brewers, taste brews from five international breweries, take a look at 25 ales that are totally new to Wetherspoon pubs and enjoy up to 30 different ales and beers.

Beers you could try will include Conwy Kashmir IPA, Harviestoun Broken Dial, Joe’s Garage

Bohemian Pale Ale, all the way from the Czech Republic, From the USA there's New Realm Hoptropolis IPA, Robinsons Fear Of The Dark, Steel & Oak Easy Stout from Canada, Yazoo Dos Perros from Tennessee, Zululand Zulu Blonde from South Africa.

Also there's Salopian The Murmurings of a Lost Leviathan, Titanic Cherry Porter, Thornbridge Hubble, Wychwood King Goblin, Hogs Back Ratfink & Ripsnorter, Evan Evans Challenger, Maxim Slovenian Pale Ale, Inveralmond Ossian Oatmeal Stout, Castle Rock Phoenix Tears and other beers besides, plus the usual array of other ales. Plus several ciders (including craft ciders, usually) and food is available all day.

Prices may vary between pubs, also check if the Festival Third of a Pint scheme is still operating.

For full details check out the link here https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/news/2023/09/autumn-real-ale-festival

We are fortunate that we have four Wetherspoon pubs all reasonably local to us and we'll plan our visits accordingly. 

Brewdog Black Heart 21st Century Stout

I'm drinking a Brewdog Black Heart 21st Century Stout.

It's 4.1% vol and I'm not entirely sure what to make of it, to be honest.

It's got a good, solid black colour and has very little appreciable head. Even though they have copied Guinness by adding a widget to the can. Never had a flat can of Guinness with or without the widget, but I digress. (Maybe how I poured it?) 

There are harsh and bitter coffee tastes to it, which leaves a not particularly pleasant aftertaste on the palate.

I think there are also chocolaty hints, too, plus perhaps something else. Liquorish,  maybe? I don't know, but it doesn't work well with the overall flavour, sadly.

In their promotional material they seem to be knocking Guinness for being old and boosting Black Heart for being new.

But it's all in the taste. If it tastes good, the age of the recipe doesn't matter.

However, what's better than Black Heart and also, perhaps, Guinness? Brew Dog Layer Cake Stout, which is a perfect pint of great, stout-hearted goodness!

Peanut Butter Milk Stouts

This is another of my Home Bargains beer purchases. These beers are brewed by the Tailgate Brewery of Nashville, Tennessee. https://www.tailgatebeer.com.

I love peanut butter. I particularly like peanut butter whiskey, but especially with properly hot Jamaican ginger beer. Not ginger beer, but ginger ale.

But on to the peanut butter milk stout, plain and with strawberry jelly/jam.

Peanut Butter milk stout. There was definitely a strong peanut butter aroma from the beer. And it did have a peanut butter like colouration.

There was a peanut butter taste plus a strong, malty taste and a somewhat bitter aftertaste.

The Peanut Butter and Strawberry milk stout had a similar colouration. It tasted very similar to the peanut butter milk stout, but there was also a slightly sweet undertone that I attributed to the strawberry jelly content. 

However, tin my opinion, the strawberry flavour was not strong enough to make any real headway through the stronger peanut butter flavour. If I were brewing this stout I'd certainly consider adding more strawberry jelly to the recipe because of this.

I'd have to point out that, although these beers are interesting and well worth seeking out, that they are not really to be considered as milk stouts, to be completely honest.

However, they are intriguing enough that I'll certainly be looking out for beers from Tailgate Brewery in the future.  

To check out the beer range at Home Bargains use their store locator service https://storelocator.homebargains.co.uk

Or you can visit your website at https://home.bargains

From memory I think I paid about £1.49 a can.