20/07/25 - Good Beer Guide Pubs of Abergavenny

Into the (Wye) Valley

What a charming little place Abergavenny is.  Our latest Dog Sit had us strategically positioned Llanfoist. A short walk over the ancient bridge and across the castle meadows leass to a town full of foodies. 

This is what AI has to say:

Abergavenny, known as the "Gateway to Wales," is a charming market town nestled at the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and rolling countryside, it offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant food culture. Whether you're exploring its medieval castle, browsing the independent shops and bustling markets, or indulging in award-winning local produce and real ales, Abergavenny provides a warm and welcoming base for walkers, foodies, and history lovers alike.

Let's check out the Real Ale situation - with 4 Good Beer Guide Pubs to explore.

The Grofield was found on our first meander of the town.

Solid, family-run

Notable for two reasons: A beautiful beer garden, which we ignored the u-shaped bar to make haste towards. And table service. I really wasn't expecting "we will come to your table to take your order". A COVID hangover or making maximum use of their iPad POS devices.

Their secret garden

Wye Valley HPA setting the tone of the weekend.

We walked past The Bridge on the way back to our temporary home. At 6pm there waslive music, with a Sterophonics tribute act on and he turned out to be rather good. "Maybe Tomorrow" and "Have a Nice Day" alternated with crowd pleasing Tom Jones covers.

The Bridge - and Amber with Mrs M

The Butty Bach - my most consumed ale - was so disappointing, I tried the Rev James. The dog quickly got bored with "What's New Pussycat?". I couldn't justify the expense of drinking out when we had a quieter garden to sit in and a Waitrose middle-class beer aisle to ram-raid.

Sunday Night saw us attempt to understand why the Railway Inn and The Station were nowhere near any train tracks. A conversation starter if ever I met one. Transpired the station was moved in the 1960s.

The GBG Tick was the Station and I had completed my research. My taste-buds could be excited with something other than Wye Valley. Bass is a permanent fixture.

Team Mappiman heading into another pub

Bass ordered but oh-no - the barrel had gone. At least, the Butty was spot on.

More Wye Valley

Strange opening times - 3pm to 4pm - so I guess the locals made the most of it when it was open. A very convivial atmosphere, mostly single blokes who had taken the dog for a walk.

We moved to the enclosed beer garden to ponder what would happen if a pub offered something other than Wye Valley. Would the good people of Monmouthshire revolt?

To be fair - the 'Spoons - The Coliseum - would have offered its collection of world beers and Ruddles but we would not have been welcome with our four-legged friend.