 | |
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
|---|---|
| Founded | July 1999 |
| Founder | Will Hopton |
| Headquarters | , Wales |
Area served | Ystalyfera |
| Products | Beer |
Production output | Approximately 200brewer's barrels per year at capacity |
| Owner | Will & Sandra Hopton |
| Website | www |
Bryncelyn Brewery was abrew pub in 'Wern Fawr Inn', apub located nearYstalyfera, in south Wales. Brewing was begun in July 1999, and the brewers are Will Hopton and Robert Scott.[1]
The brewery produces three-quarters of aUK brewer's barrel of beer at a time. Theales have been consistent and frequent winners of awards atbeer festivals since the brewery's inception.
Brewing stopped in 2017.[2]
The first beer produced was Buddy's Delight; this was done in nine-gallon (one-firkin) batches. The brewery then expanded to 27-gallon batches and began producing five beer types in 2000;[3] by 2002, this had further expanded to one barrel and as of 2006[update] twelve recipes are brewed, with brewing taking place up to four times a week.
Bryncelyn's three regular beers are Oh Boy, abitter; Buddy Marvellous, a strongmild ale; and HollyHop, agolden ale. A further nine beers are produced on an occasional or seasonal basis. TheGood Beer Guide describes Oh Boy as:
An enticing hop and fruit aroma, a golden color and a taste full of hops and fruit. Good bitterness and underlying malt add to the flavor, with a long, hoppily-bitter finish.[4]
Bryncelyn's beers are usually available only at the Wern Fawr Inn, but can be purchased for take-away inpolypins and frequently appear at beer festivals in Wales.[5]
The names of Bryncelyn's beers all feature themotif of references to the singer & guitaristBuddy Holly; the name "Bryncelyn" itself means "Holly Hill" in Welsh.Pump clips and associated artwork for the brewery also feature Holly's image or references Holly in some way:
Says brewer and publican Will Hopton about Holly, "He was such a talented fellow and he died at 22. He was such an influence on such a lot of different groups and individuals. Elvis was good performer but Buddy wrote most of his own music." Hopton sees the beer theme as a way of paying tribute to the performer.[6]
Bryncelyn's beers frequently place highly in blind tastings performed at festivals. Buddy Marvellous was awarded theChampion Beer of Wales title in 2002, and Oh Boy that title in 2003.[5]
1999
2001
2002
2003
2004
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2006
2007
2008
The Wern Fawr Inn has itself been awarded the title of "Pub of the Year" in 2005 by theNeath andPort Talbot branch of CAMRA, as well as "Regional Pub of the Year" for South and Mid Wales by a ballot among all branches of CAMRA in the area.[13]