03/07/23 - The Good Beer Guide Pubs of Cardigan

 Cask just doesn't sell

A blustery, rainy day where the best plan is to head to civilisation. A choice of two multi Good Beer Guide towns available - we head south along Wales answer to Route 66, aiming for Cardigan.

A mooch around, following an Adventure Lab Geocache and feasting on the local delicacies. What are those delights that smell delicious in the bakery?  Chelsea buns.

Historical highlights ticked off, its down to the river for the 11:30am GBG opener.

Down by the river

For pub #1

The Grosvenor is a neat enough pub, all polished floors, open plan and making the most of the location by having fine views over the river.

OK - Its quite gastro.  Special is dressed crab with bread and butter.  £18.95

Quite a theme - a LocALE stuffed in a Doom Bar Glass

So far, every pub we've visited has had a local brewery representative. Experienced pub goers will notice an unusual, previously unseen front pump clip is usually bolted onto a more familiar Doom Bar back bracket. You certainly can't miss the glassware. Today, its a hazy IPA called DAI-IPA from the Cardigan Brewery. 

200m away is the 2nd GBG Tick of the day. Advertised on Whatpub as an 11am opener but the door was only open at midday. I don't need to tell you the history, when signage can do the job for me.

1105 - beats Ye Olde Trip and the Fighting Cocks

Door Ajar

Well here's a first. I head to the bar to see all three handpulls reversed. A conversation ensues...

Me:  "Delivery Issues?"

Barkeep:  "No"

Me: "Heavy Weekend?"

Barkeep: "No"

A Pause.....

Barkeep: "Cask just doesn't sell".

I remember GBG Ticking in Plymouth in 2021 and the owner of Vessel, a micro-pub, telling me how proud he was to be in the bible. One of only 7 venues listed that doesn't sell cask, he said. Inclusion confirmed through a wide range of UK, German and Belgian craft ales.

I'd love to ask Ceredigion CAMRA what their thought process was. Tetleys and Brains Barry Island IPA on keg were the highlight of the Black Lion's offerings. 

Quinno, when reviewing on Pubs Galore, had a similar experience....

Being a GBG21 entry I was pretty disappointed to find no cask, and no real sign of it having been available lately either.

Mrs M and Guide Dog in Training Ivy - unimpressed with Storage Wars on TV

I've possibly been to a pub with a worse beer selection. But not one recommended by CAMRA.

I include a 1972 Map, should you wish to visit yourself.

Lots of Aggro