FROM FULLER’S TO FULLBACKS

This week the beer world was all about one thing, the surprise news that London based Fuller’s Brewery (whose beers include London Pride) announced that it has entered into an agreement for the sale of its entire beer business to Asahi Europe Ltd, for an enterprise value of £250 million.

Formed in 1845 it is still largely family owned. While there may be an emotional significance, drinkers are being reassured that they’re unlikely to notice a change to the branding or formula in the pub.  However, the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said it was a “sad day” for the industry. So whilst all that is happening over the bridge there’s only one thing gripping Wales (apart from the snow), so from Fuller’s to Fullbacks …

The 6 nations tends to unite two of Wales’ greatest treasures, real ale and rugby.  There’s long been an association with rugby and beer. Wales’ largest Brewery Brains was official shirt sponsor during Wales’ first Grand Slam for 27 years and nicely sidestepped a French ban on advertising alcohol for the clash in Paris by swapping the Brains logo on the front of the shirt for that equally prized rugby attribute: “Brawn”.

Many breweries have collaborated with famous players or made beers in their honour, such as Brains and current Welsh Captain Alun-Wyn Jones putting the Al into Ale to make a match-day IPA. You can also enjoy a pint of JPR Pale Ale, inspired by the 70s Welsh rugby legend JPR, made by equally legendary Aberdare based Champion brewers Grey Trees.

Or perhaps you’re just going on a Mikey Rayer?! Mikey Rayer Pale Ale is a session beer from Crafty Devil in Cardiff. It’s a title which was inspired by the former Cardiff full-back having been immortalised with his name used as a shorthand for a good old session on the booze.

Whether you’re a passionate egg-chaser whose favourite number is 15, or you like to watch the occasional Rugby match, or maybe you think Rugby is just a load of oddly-shaped balls, there’s plenty of rugby themed beers to try!

One brewery fully embracing the rugby is Swansea based Mumbles Brewery.  Established in 2011 and originally brewing in the back of former Swansea CAMRA Pub of the Year ‘The Pilot’.  They have enjoyed great success of late including scooping six awards at the SIBA Wales & West Beer Festival. No strangers to rugby themed beers, they’ve previously released ‘Red Nugget’ a reddish coloured beer made using nugget hops, nugget being Martyn William’s nickname. This year Mumbles have released three 6 Nations beers –

TAP KICK
ABV 4.8%
HOPS Green Bullet and Waimea (NZ)
AVAILABLE CASK ONLY

Tap Kick has been brewed especially for the 6 Nations and International Rugby season. It is fruity Red Ale generously hopped with two New Zealand hops for a distinctive fruity aroma and taste.

HOP KICK
ABV 4.0%
HOPS Cascade and Nugget (US)
AVAILABLE CASK AND 500ml BOTTLES

This blonde beauty first flew over the bar during the Six Nations in 2016 and proved so popular it has become a regular. An antidote to heavy ales, this beauty is 4% and so pale it is great for a session beer or lighter summer drinking. American hops are for used for a gorgeous aroma and flavour to keep people coming back for more!

LOOSE HEAD
ABV 4.9%
HOPS Goldings (UK)
AVAILABLE CASK ONLY

A seasonal rugby beer with a smooth malty taste, with a handsome bronze colour, deceptively easy, going down with a clean rewarding hop finish.

You can buy Mumbles Brewery beers direct from their website at www.mumblesbrewery.co.uk or a range of their bottled beers from Wales Ales