Celebrate summer at one of the highlights of the social calendar for beer and cider lovers in Swansea this weekend. Taking place at the Brangwyn Hall over three days, the CAMRA Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival is from Thursday, August 21 until Saturday, August 23.

We’ve got a great line up of beers and ciders lined up for you – see below.

The event is now in its 35th year, and will feature some of the best of Welsh brewing, plus beers and ciders as far away as the Orkneys. These will include beers from sponsors Gower Brewery and Pilot brewery as well as specially brewed festival beers from Swansea Brewing Company named Bandwagon and Brains’ 140th anniversary Rev James Reserve. There will also be a full range of pale ales and bitters to ciders and perries, with knowledgeable volunteers on hand at the event.

The festival will also feature musical performances each evening. Swansea favourite Tweke will be playing Thursday night, followed by crowd pleasers the Soulskunks on Friday night.

On the final night, there will be the double bill of the Low Down Dirty Dog Blues Band and The Currants.

There will also be traditional pub games to test your skills from shuffleboard to table skittles.

Admission is £6 for non-CAMRA members and £4 for CAMRA members on Thursday night, and £8 for non-CAMRA members and £6 for CAMRA members on Friday and Saturday.

It includes a commemorative glass and programme.

Advance weekend tickets are also available at £18 for non-CAMRA members and £15 for CAMRA members.

The first £5 worth of tokens will also be sold with the admission tickets at the door, so people attending are advised to have £13 or £11 ready if they intend on paying cash.

The opening times are Thursday, August 21, 5pm until 11pm, Friday, August 22, noon until 11pm and Saturday, August 23, noon until 11pm. The last admission is 10pm.

BEER LIST AND TASTING NOTES 2025

BAR ONE – HANDPUMP  BEERS

GOWER, Crofty, Swansea, Wales

c    Gower Gold                                                   4.5%                                                   G

Thirst quenching Golden Ale, with refreshing citrus & melon flavours, and the lovely aroma of Cascade hops, giving a slightly sweet finish.

c    Original                                                          4.2%                                                   BB

Produced since November 2011 as their first beer, this is a honey-coloured ale with a full bodied, balanced malty flavour and crisp lingering bite of hop.

c    Gower Power                                                 5.5%                                                   SB

Traditional IPA, powerful, balanced and endowed with a good dollop of whole hops. Welsh, warming, malty, fruity, sweet, and strong. 

c        Sunrise  PA

A perky Gower Blonde, a light straw coloured, easy drinking beer, infused with refreshing lemon and grapefruit flavours and aromas.

c    Super Gold                                                     7.0%                                                   G

A full-bodied thirst-quenching Golden Ale, balancing notes of fruity citrus and a super malty sweetness.

c        West Coast Pale                                            4.8%                                                   PA

A lightly Golden West Coast Pale Ale. Biscuity malts backed up with hops providing huge orange, stone fruit and pine resin flavours.

 9 LIVES, Ystradgynlais, Wales

c    Amber                                                             4.0%                                                   BB

Amber session ale with a hoppy aroma. Biscuit and toffee malt flavours with subtle bitterness. A beer full of flavour for its gravity strength.

c        Gold                                                                4.5%                                                   G

Golden Best Bitter with zesty hops and fruity malt aroma. A good bitterness and long hoppy dry finish.

CWRW OTLEY, Pontypridd, Wales

c    Llaeth                                                                5.0%                                                   PS

A Welsh Porter with a chocolate, coffee and cream aroma, followed by a smooth, full bodied sweet taste from the Centennial hops.

c    Trio                                                                 3.3%                                                   G

A session clear straw-coloured Golden Ale. Stone fruits, tangerine & burnt orange aromas and a bittersweet, bread & biscuit taste.

c        Zephyr                                                            3.8%                                                   PA

Session Pale Ale, clear yellow in colour from Ekuanot and Galena hops, giving a bitter, biscuit and honey taste and pineapple, citrusy tropical fruit aromas.

 MABBY, Treforest, Wales

c    Cascade (V)                                                   4.2%                                                   PA

Brewed using the palest pilsner malt, this Pale Ale is very light and floral, with grapefruit flavours and spiced aromas. Vegan/Veggie safe.

c    Citra (V)                                                         4.2%                                                   PA

This single hop beer is very light and refreshing with a strong yet smooth citrus aroma and flavour. Vegan/Veggie safe.

c    Cwrw (V)                                                       4.0%                                                   BB

This Ruby Red Bitter has caramel on the pallet, with a well-balanced bitterness followed by a blend of citrus, spice, wood and honey. Vegan/Veggie safe.

SWANSEA BREWING COMPANY, Upper Killay, Swansea, Wales

(This popular local brewery, which has constantly supported this festival over the decades, now has new owners and a lovely new home at the Railway Inn, Upper Killay, which has also won the CAMRA South Wales Pub of the Year award for 2025!)

c    Original Wood                                               5.2%                                                   SB

Full-bodied, with complex flavours with a firm bitter ending.

c    Three Cliffs Gold                                          4.8%                                                   G

Golden beer, with a hoppy, fruity taste and thirst-quenching bitterness.

c    Bandwagon (H)                                              4.0%                                                   PA

Especially brewed in collaboration with the Beer and Cellar Manager of the Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival. An Unfined, Pale Session IPA, fermented using a Verdant IPA yeast strain. Bittered with First Gold hops and late hopped with generous amounts of Citra.

BAR ONE – GRAVITY BEERS

ABBEYDALE, Sheffield, England

c    Black Mass (GF, V)                                       6.66%                                                 S

One of the world’s longest-standing Black IPAs. Brewed using 6 different malts including chocolate malts, black malts and roasted barley. Generously hopped with Cascade and Green Bullet hops. Flavours reminiscent of bitter chocolate, fruitcake and raisins, with beautiful aromas of dark chocolate, coffee and burnt toast. A beast of a brew! Multiple Gold Medal award winner at several festivals run by CAMRA and SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers and Associates).

c    Through The Hopback: Ernest                     3.9%                                                   PA

Pale Ale, single hopped with English grown Ernest hops. Expect a light and grassy character, holding fresh and delicate flavours of ripe nectarines and apricots.

ARBOR, Bristol, England

c        Everyday People (H, V)                                5.0%                                                   PA

Hazy Pale Ale, brewed with Azacca, Citra & Motueka hops.

c        ZZ Hop (H, V)                                                4.3%                                                   PA

Session strength New England IPA brewed with lots of Citra and Mosaic hops.

BASON BRIDGE, Highbridge, Somerset, England

c    Hardings Best Bitter                                     4.2%                                                   BB

A Premium Bitter, Amber in colour, and known for its full flavour, rich character, balanced bitter-sweet finish and drinkability. 

BEWDLEY BREWERY, Bewdley, Worcestershire, England

c        Sunshine                                                         3.8%                                                   PA

A very pale beer with sweetness, fresh, fruity, & citrus of the single hop Citra.

c        William Mucklow’s Dark Mild                      6.0%                                                   M

A dark, sweetish, Strong Ale with smooth fruity flavour & slight liquorice after taste.

BIG TRIP BREWERY, Manchester, England

c        Push It Good (H, V)                                       4.1%                                                   PA

Super Pale Session IPA with sweet fruit aromas and juicy notes of fresh melon, pear, and tropical citrus from the Ella & Enigma double dry hop. The flavour follows through with soft pine, floral hints, clean and dry, leaving just a whisper of bitterness and a craving for the next sip!

BIRMINGHAM BREWING COMPANY, Stirchley, Birmingham, England

c        Pale Brummie (GF, V)                                   4.0%                                                   PA

This vegan and gluten free Pale Ale is hopped with Citra and Amarillo for a citrusy pale taste.

c    Stout Brummie (GF, V)                               4.8%                                                   PS

Our Stout is brewed using wholesome oatmeal alongside noble hops bringing chocolate and toast aromas. Each sip tastes of Caramel and roasted coffee finishes with a heartwarming richness.

BLUE MONKEY, Giltbrook, Nottingham, England

c    BG Sips                                                          4.0%                                                   G

They stuff 20 kilograms of the legendary ‘Brewers Gold’ hops into every small-scale batch, to create this pale and intensely hoppy beer. Imparting tropical fruit aromas and a thirst-quenching bitterness.

c    Cinder Toffee                                                  5.0%                                                   PS

A rich full-bodied stout with huge toffee aromas and delicious caramel undertones lingering nicely on the tongue.

BRASS CASTLE, Malton, Yorkshire, England

c    Bad Kitty (GF, V)                                          5.5%                                                   PS

Chewy chocolate-vanilla dream of a porter. Bad Kitty earned its name from the antics of the two original brewhouse cats, who delight in mischievously supervising proceedings.

c        Pacer (GF, V)                                                 3.4%                                                   PA

A session pale loaded with Comet, Summit and Amarillo hops – to deliver a well-rounded zesty sweet orange character and clean refreshing finish. Perfect for pacing yourself. 

BRISTOL BEER FACTORY, Bristol, England

c        Full Throttle (GF)                                          4.4%                                                   PA

US Session IPA. Welcome to Hyperboost, a fresh out the lab concentrated hop oil extract that lights the burners on aroma! Simcoe single hop is used in both hop form and in Hyperboost oil format for a true deep dive. Aroma is amplified with signature grapefruit and pine leading you into Simcoe’s bright citrus and berry finish.

c        Satisfaction (GF)                                           5.0%                                                   PA

Australian IPA. Aussie hop Vic Secret gets the single hop treatment. Coming in hot with pineapple, pine and passionfruit goodness.

CASTLE ROCK, Nottingham, England

c        Brickyard Strong Ruby Mild             6.0%                                                   M

Pouring deep ruby red with the scent of treacle toffee, and a whisper of vanilla. The flavour is rich and warming with smooth layers of malty sweetness intertwined with plump raisins and juicy figs. Finally, a delicate hint of dried fruit emerges with a honeyed sweetness to finish.

 HOBSONS, Cleobury Mortimer,Shropshire, England

c        Rocky Pacific                                                 4.4%                                                   PA

West Coast IPA. Crisp, golden, and packed with classic West Coast character. On the nose, zesty grapefruit and orange peel meet pine and a subtle floral touch. Bursting with bright citrus and bold pine flavours, balanced by a light, biscuity malt backbone. Big flavour, easy drinking.

HOP KETTLE, Swindon, Wiltshire, England

c    Catching Rays                                                4.4%                                                   G

An easy drinking balanced Golden Ale. Smooth malts backed up by Ekuanot hops give hints of zesty citrus and tropical fruit.

c        Sunbeam Blonde (GF)                                   4.1%                                                   PA

Light bodied and crisp, with a clean bready malt foundation. Aromas of subtle lemon zest and a hint of minty noble hop character with a mild lingering bitterness and a touch of herbal spice.

LITTLE BREWING CO, Derby, England

c    Hawk                                                              4.4%                                                   BB

A traditional malt base, with caramel, biscuits and some beautiful English hops.

BAR TWO – HANDPUMP  BEERS

GREY TREES, Aberdare, Wales

c    Afghan Pale Ale                                             5.4%                                                   PA

Indian Pale Ale was served to troops during the Anglo-Afghan war in the 1800’s, giving this strong, multiple Champion winning beer its name. American style Pale Ale using Maris Otter malt providing a light colour and dryness to complement the crisp taste and full aroma of the Cascade, Citra, and Simcoe hops. Where fruity berry notes take centre stage, perfectly complemented by a smooth caramel finish.

c    Diggers Gold                                                  4.0%                                                   G

Another multiple award-winning ale, named after the “black gold” of the valleys. A big hit of citrus takes the lead, with subtle hints of blueberry sneaking through.

c    Into the Valley                                               4.6%                                                   PA

Floral citrus notes lead the way, finishing with a mild bitterness that keeps you coming back for more.

BRAINS, Cardiff, Wales

c        Dark                                                               3.5%                                                   M

A true Welsh classic, which has been brewed continuously since the 1920s and for many years it was Brains bestselling and most recognisable pint. Chocolate malts help create this distinctive treacle coloured yet easy-drinking ale with its distinctive creamy head.

c    Rev James Reserve                                       5.5%                                                   SB

Rev James Reserve Ale honours the Reverend James Buckley, uniting the pulpit and the pint. This limited-edition 5.5% Ale celebrates 140 years of brewing with a bold twist. Inspired by an 1885 recipe and crafted with Buckley’s yeast, it offers extra depth and richness for a fuller-bodied experience. With a reddish hue, it blends caramel and fruit notes with subtle hints of raisin and plum. Double roasted Crystal malt adds complexity and a smooth finish. A punchier, more robust take on the classic, The Rev James Reserve proudly continues a legendary brewing tradition.

c    SA Gold                                                          4.3%                                                   G

First brewed in 2006. A hoppy refreshing ale brewed with Cascade and Styrian Goldings hops and Pale malt creating citrus aromas and flavours and is best suited for customers with a slightly lighter pallet.

GLAMORGAN BREWING, Llantrisant, Wales

c        Jemima’s Pitchfork                                       4.5%                                                   G

Named after Welsh heroine Jemima Nicholas. Who at the 1797 Battle of Fishguard, rounded up and captured 12 drunk French soldiers, armed only with a pitchfork! An award-winning crisp Golden Ale! New World hops bring fruit flavours of pear, melon, and citrus.

c        Lemon Time                                                   4.0%                                                   PA

Inspired by the Italian community who settled in Wales in the 19th and 20th Centuries, easy drinking with lemon zest and the taste of Summer.

c        Welsh Pale                                                     4.1%                                                   PA

A rounded easy going Pale Ale with citrus and exotic fruit notes, a hint of pine and a clean, hoppy bitter finish.

MUMBLES BREWERY, Swansea, Wales

c    Mumbles Gold (V)                                         4.3%                                                   G

The first ever brew from Mumbles Brewery. This refreshing and clean Welsh Ale offers a delightful lemon and lime hoppy aftertaste. Perfect for those who appreciate a crisp, flavourful beer.

c    Oystermouth Stout                                        4.4%                                                   PS

Made with real oysters from Swansea Bay. This rich, velvety stout is an award-winning drink and boasts roasted malt flavours with hints of coffee and chocolate, and a smooth, creamy finish.

c    Surge (V)                                                        4.7%                                                   PA

Surge is light in colour but big on taste! A bright and golden American Pale Ale that packs a punch of flavour from the very first sip. It’s one that hop loving drinkers won’t forget!

TWT LOL, Trefforest, Wales
c    Diablo Dragons                                              5.5%                                                   PA

Brewed with New Zealand hops, using a combination of Waimea, Green Bullet, Southern Cross and Sticklebract in this hoppy IPA. Very bitter, hoppy and Strong!

c    Tŵti Ffrŵti                                                     4.0%                                                   PA

A pale Bitter Ale. Prominent in the fruity taste are the Mosaic and Chinook hops, which impart a flavour of mango and grapefruit.

PILOT, Mumbles, Swansea, Wales

(The Pilot is a popular local pub with its own microbrewery and is also a previous CAMRA Welsh Pub of the Year winner).

c        American Pale                                   4.5%                                                   PA

Refreshing Pale Ale hopped with Cascade and Saaz. Dry hoped summit and Simcoe.

c    Black Storm                                       4.5%                                                   PS

Proper Stout with plenty of roasted barley and no nonsense!

c    Pilot Gold                                           4.4%                                                   G

The Pilot’s favourite beer with British barley and hops with a bitter finish.

BEER RIFF, Swansea Marina, Swansea, Wales

(This local brewery normally only does Craft Keg beers, but they have brewed two Cask Beers especially for the festival!)

c    Killer Kiwi                                                      5.2%                                                   PA

A blend of our hand selected New Zealand hops. Bright tropical fruit, passion fruit pineapple and mango, layered over a soft juicy base beer.

         Double Espresso                                            6.0%                                                   PS

Double Espresso Coffee Porter. A smooth rich porter with deep malt complexity finished off with some incredible coffee from El Salvador. Coffee, Chocolate, Smooth.

BAR TWO – GRAVITY BEERS

MOOREHOUSE’S, Burnley, Lancashire, England

c    Pride of Pendle                                              4.1%                                                   BB

An extremely satisfying light Amber Ale that is balanced with biscuit malt and Progress and Willamette hops to give a delectably dry taste.

c    Stray Dog                                                      4.2%                                                   G

A refreshingly clean tasting Golden Ale. Brewed using three American hops to give aromas of citrus fruits including lemon, grapefruit and lychee. Classic English Maris Otter malt provides a smooth malt balance to complement the subtle bitterness.

OAKHAM, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England

c    Citra                                                               4.2%                                                   PA

The original UK Citra Beer. Light gold in colour, bursting with citrus and tropical hop flavours and sensationally refreshing. Twice voted CAMRA Champion Golden Beer of Britain!

c    Green Devil IPA                                            6.0%                                                   PA

Twice World Champion Cask Beer at the prestigious International Brewing Awards. This contemporary IPA explodes with amazing hop harvest aromas, packing in big tropical and citrus hop flavours before a crisp, refreshing finish. Double hopped with 100% USA sourced Citra hops. This is the big brother of Oakham’s Citra!

PENTRICH, Ripley, Derbyshire, England

c    Give Your Last                                              5.0%                                                   PS

A rich and decadent Rolo-inspired Milk Stout. This beer is packed full of sweet chocolate and caramel flavours, with an underlying roast note from the base stout, that is tamed even more with the addition of Lactose.

c    Real Fake Doors (H)                                     4.3%                                                   PA

A naturally hazy pale packed full of Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe and Cashmere hops. Expect a medley of juicy fruit flavours of pineapple, mango and grapefruit, with some light floral notes and a gentle bitterness on the finish.

PURPLE MOOSE, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales

c    Elderflower Ale (Cwrw Ysgawen)               4.0%                                                   S

A refreshing Pale Ale. Cascade hops are used for aroma, with the added indulgence of Elderflowers, creating a floral bouquet and a sweet citrus finish.

c    Cwrw Madog                                                3.7%                                                   BB

Cwrw Madog/Madog’s Ale is a classic Copper Bronze Session Bitter, with a malty and nutty, aroma and a sweet, fruity, bitter finish.

The beer takes its name from William Madocks, who is noted for building Porthmadog Harbour in the 19th century. The town which grew up around the harbour, originally Port Madoc, took its name from Madocks.

SALTAIRE, Shipley, Yorkshire, England

c    Triple Choc                                                    4.8%                                                   PS

Internationally praised and deliciously drinkable, this dark beer blends English Fuggle hops with rich chocolate decadence for a bold, malty boost.

STANCILL, Sheffield, England

c    Barnsley Bitter                                              3.8%                                                   BB

This Copper Bitter has a malty bitter taste and an aroma of oats and honey. It has won SILVER Champion Beer in Sheffield’s Steel City Beer & Cider Festival 2022.

STONEHENGE, Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England

c    40 Summers                                                    4.0%                                                   G

This Golden Ale is made using Citra hops, complimented with biscuity notes from Crystal and Rye malt and the brewery’s own top-fermenting yeast. Creating a perfect pint for summertime and to celebrate 40 years of brewing at the Old Mill Brewery.

c    Danish Dynamite                                           5.0%                                                   PA

A golden coloured strong IPA traditionally brewed with good hop and fruit aromas and complex flavours developing into a beautifully balanced full-bodied aftertaste with hops and fruit to the fore. Simply a Top Class Beer which has won several major beer festival awards.

SWANNAY BREWERY, Orkney Isles, Scotland

(Located in a rustic farmstead in the North-Westerly tip of Orkney’s “mainland”. Orkney comprises of 70 islands, each unique, 17 or 18 of which are inhabited).

c    Island Hopping                                               3.9%                                                   PA

Pale Malt is used with lots of New Zealand hops to create this hoppy but still session-able low strength beer. This beer won the Gold award in the “Session Pale, Blond & Golden Ales” Category in the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain competition 2023.

c    Orkney IPA                                                   4.8%                                                   PA

A modern IPA, not overly bitter, but still nicely ‘hoppy’ and at 4.8%, just about a session IPA for a “sensible” night’s drinking!

TARTARUS, Leeds, Yorkshire, England

c    Leghenlo                                                        6.3%                                                   PS

A robust Cappuccino Porter brewed with coffee, vanilla and lactose to replicate a popular caffeinated drink!

c    Nain Rouge                                                       5.4%                                                   S

A malt forward American Red Ale with notes of caramel, toffee & biscuit. This beer has a balanced bitterness with a hop profile of citrus, grapefruit with resinous pine notes.

HARBWR TENBY HARBOUR BREWERY, Tenby, Dyfed, Wales

c    Heist (H, V)                                                       5.0%                                                   S

Belgium IPA, A tasty combination of moreish malt flavours with European hop aroma and subtle bitterness, along with fruity notes from traditional Belgian yeast.

c    North Star (V)                                               4.2%                                                   BB

British malts including Amber malt create a smooth, slightly toasted ale that when combined with British hops gives a well-balanced bitterness and subtle aromas.

c    Pia Whanga (V)                                              4.2%                                                   PA

Quintessentially New Zealand. Using no less than three types of hops from the Land of the Long White Cloud. This hoppy Pale Ale provides strong flavours of lemon, lime and tropical fruits.

THORNBRIDGE, Bakewell, Derbyshire, England 

c    1938 Union                                                         4.5%                                                   S

Thornbridge 1838 combines the British malt, Maris Otter, with finest Goldings hops for a full-bodied, premium Pale Ale with a light amber hue.

c    Jaipur IPA                                                      5.9%                                                   PA

A citrus dominated IPA, soft and smooth builds to a crescendo of hoppyness with honey and an enduring, bitter finish. This popular Strong Ale is recognised as one of the first UK craft IPAs. Brewed with a huge amount of US hops tasting of grapefruit, lemon and tropical fruit with an enticing bitterness. Balanced with a Maris Otter malt base that helps keep the beer light and drinkable with enough sweetness to keep it all in harmony.

VERDANT, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England

c    Penpol (H, V)                                                 3.8%                                                   PA

Their interpretation of a moreish, hoppy bitter and aromatic single hop Citra cask Pale Ale. Non-stop sluggabilty, conditioned for greatness!