Rugby World Cup Beers To Try!

The World Cup tends to unite two of Wales’ greatest treasures, real ale and rugby.  Whether you’ve worked up a thirst by playing or just watching the game, there’s really no finer way to find refreshment.

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”.

Whether your’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, you’ll love this selection of must-try beers.

Rising Sun – Brains Brewery
ABV 4.0%
Hops Sorachi Ace
Availability CASK ONLY
Brains are official partners of the Welsh Rugby Union and have brewed Rising Sun with Sorachi Ace Hops which originated in Japan. It’s the perfect refreshing beer for this autumn’s rugby!

RISING SUN – Tomos Watkin
ABV 4%
HOPS Goldings & Cascade
Availability CASK ONLY
Proving a popular name, this Rising Sun is a new golden ale made using the finest wheat and floor-malted barley. This delicious brew comes infused with the zesty citrus flavours of Goldings and Cascade hops and finished with a unique floral aroma. Take one for your team with a swig of this real Welsh pint and support our boys in red on their mission in Japan this season. Cymru am byth.

MIKEY RAYER – Crafty Devil
ABV 4%
HOPS Cascade and Citra
Availability Keg, 330ml Bottles

Going on a Mikey Rayer?! This is the beer for you! Mikey Rayer Pale Ale is low in alcohol but hopped to hell and back by the demented demons at the Crafty Devil Brewing Co in Cardiff. Brewed with Maris Otter Extra Pale Malt and Oats Mikey comes with a super light appearance and bags of mouthfeel. The addition of Cascade and Citra Hops give this beer a crisp, zesty and yet punchy flavour.

To be drank cold while remembering Mikey Rayer versus Scotland in 1994. Two tries in the mud on the old Arms Park. 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.

JPR PALE ALE – Grey Trees
ABV 4.7%
HOPS – Chinook, Cascade & Simcoe
AVAILABILITY CASK, 500ml Bottles

A Strong pale ale by multi-award winning Aberdare based brewery, Grey Trees. Grey Trees’ traditional British pale ale is a well balanced beer brewed with Crystal and Marris Otter pale malts, infused with US Chinook, Cascade and Simcoe hops. This imparts both a citrus aroma and citrus taste.

Inspired by the Welsh rugby legend JPR, he was noted for his aggressive attacking style. With his long sideburns and socks around his ankles, “JPR” was an iconic figure on the legendary 1970s Wales team. The greatest rewards come from catching a ball and running forward. Be inspired by how JPR danced his way forward.

HOP KICK – Mumbles Brewery
ABV 4.0%
HOPS Galena and Cascade
AVAILABLE CASK and 500ml Bottles

No strangers to rugby themed beers, they’ve previously released their highly popular ‘Red Nugget’ a reddish coloured beer made using nugget hops, nugget being in homeage to Martyn William’s nickname.

This blonde ale 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!

RED OF HEAVEN – Bluestone Brewery
ABV 4.2%
HOPS Simcoe & Mosiac
Availability CASK & 500ml Bottle

Bluestone Brewing is an exciting family run brewery situated in the foothills of the Preseli Hills in North Pembrokeshire. They produce hand crafted real ales, using local water filtered down through the Bluestone Hills to produce a range of flavoursome Rock Solid Ales.

Bluestone have produced an American Red Ale. A well balanced combination of rich malty flavours with a touch of caramelised grain on top, blended with a lively quantity of both American late addition hops and British bittering hops.

BALL CHASER – Dog’s Window Brewery
ABV 5.3%
HOPS Citra, Amarillo & Galaxy
Availability Keg, 330ml Bottles

This hazy IPA is stuffed full of American and New Zealand hops, this juicy little number is bound to please. With a sumptuous mouthfeel and a glorious orangey yellow colour it’s a delight to behold.