A new microbrewery – Roath Brewery – launches this weekend, selling its beers at the Roath Farmers’ Market.
The brewery’s range of beers are all inspired by the people and places of Roath.
Set up by Roath locals Tom Lyons and Matt Appleby*, this weekend’s launch comes after a year of working on recipes and setting up the small brewhouse.
To start with the beers will be sold from the market every week but the pair hope to sell from shops, restaurants and bars in the coming months.
The story behind the brewery
Tom and Matt told us:
“We’ve been sat in pubs saying ‘Roath should have its own brewery’ for years! We both moved house within a couple of months of each other last year and used that as the opportunity to make sure we found space for brewing. So now we’ve very excited to be launching Roath’s first new brewery in 100 years or more (we think!).
“When we first met each other, we quickly discovered a shared love of German beer from the time that we’d both spent living in Germany. We’ve been influenced by that and, between us, time spent living in Yorkshire, the US and on the South Coast – but we’re taking our inspiration from all that’s brilliant about Roath.
“We want every beer to tell a story, and every label to be a little work of art.”
The pair have worked with local designers Dave Abbott and Matt Needle on the branding and label design and will continue to work with Roath artists on future brews.
About the beers
Antarctic Pale Ale
We’re setting off on our epic brewing adventure…our first brew balances British hops with honey-sweet malts in a classic balanced IPA style.
In June 1910 SS Terra Nova set sail from Cardiff. Captain Scott’s heroic Antarctic endeavour is commemorated by Roath Park’s iconic lighthouse.
No.3 Tram
This is our celebration of Germany’s super light hybrid lager/ales – the perfect easy-drinking partner for spiced, grilled and aromatic dishes.
The No.3 Tram was Roath’s link to people and produce from around the world, running from the dock Pierhead, up City Road and on to Roath Park.
Mill Garden
A refreshingly clean Wit, brewed for the heat of a summer’s day or the spice of a mid-winter curry. Light, citrusy and subtly floral, it’s a wheat beer even people who think they don’t like wheat beer will like.
The tranquil Roath Mill Gardens were opened in 1912 on the site of the medieval Roath Mill, traces of which still remain alongside the brook that once drove its huge wooden wheel.
Antarctic Pale Ale will be available on Saturday (27 August) with the others being added in the coming weeks.
*Matt is also one of the team behind roathcardiff.net
