Bunch Of Grapes, Pontypridd

Visited on 05/05/24. Trekked out of North Cardiff to this fantastic venue a bit out of Ponty town centre. Was hoping for a quiet night to enjoy some of the Otley cask beers but there was a live act on so the venue was stuffed to the gills and so didn’t catch the venue in a more typical way. Venue well described by Quinno below. Can imagine the modifications would have cost a few quid and I understand they do a good trade in food from the extensive menu (it was pizzas only last night given the live music). On walking in and navigating the crowd, the bar was pretty overwhelming with almost as many hand pumps as shiny taps. Saying that even the keg options were a reasonably impressive bunch here - one from Carnival, one from Deya, three of the Otkey quaffs in keg form, a stout called Belhaven Black, Clear Head, Orchard Gold cider and a couple of lagers. There was a cask cider called Happy Days from Gwynt Y Ddraig, Drummer Boy from local brewery Grey Trees, Hirundo from Thornbridge, Showdown from Bristol Beer Factory and about five of the Otley cask beers. I definitely got through a few over the course of the single venue of the evening. The two young lads working behind the bar played a blinder - there was literally non stop action. Would definitely suggest this is worth going out of the way if remotely in the area. I don’t think I had ever been in here in my younger years when I was travelling back to see family often. The venue is an absolute credit to the Valley’s pub scene. I am sure if it hadn’t been so manic and so more enjoyable I would have scored as a 9 - it was that good in my opinion. Feels harsh to knock a point off just because it was super busy for live music, but that was just my overall experience. Am sure will come back before too long and upgrade to a higher score.

Otley gastropub cut off from the centre under and beyond the flyover but impressively busy. A nice place, modern in style but with a gentle feel. Laid-out over a reverse L shaped interior where you can see the knock-through into the adjoining property. Enter through the demolished old porch; there’s a main bar to left with a modern extension beyond and a quieter area on the right where a bunch of Boomers were talking about cardiac arrests. Sighed a bit when I saw nine pumps with eight cask (four Otley, four guest) and a cider. However my halves of O1 and Juxtaposition were both very good (NBSS 4/3) so is GBG listed on quality not pump count. Tidy place and worth the walk out.

Big corner pub, white rendered. The interior was an open plan room and was a very spit and sawdust kind of place, playing music on bit on the loud side to be honest. Basic 4 tap kind of place with not real ale, saved by the fact that at least they served Banks's MILD smooth. Again, its just a run of the mill kind of place, that with so many better places, you perhaps wouldn't bother with. People and staff were friendly enough and it had definately improved from the last time i visited a few years back.

A gem of a pub, hidden away in a side street.The range of beers is magnificent. In addition to their own prizewinning Otley ales, there are usually 4 or 5 other real ales to choose from, while continental draught lager, such as Triple Carmelite is available. There is also a quality restaurant, while bar meals are also served.The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

Official site of the Bunch of Grapes, contains menus, cask ale list and event details - www.bunchofgrapes.org.uk

Official site of the Bunch of Grapes, contains menus, cask ale list and event details - www.bunchofgrapes.org.uk