Brewhouse & Kitchen, Pontcanna, Cardiff

This pub may well be located next to the SWALEC cricket stadium at the northern end of Sophia Gardens, but it is a (paraphrased) football cliché that perhaps best sums the place up, as this really is a ‘pub of two halves’. Entering through the main front porch you find yourself at the bar with a large, open plan seating area spreading out to the left. This area has wooden flooring and large windows which give it a sort of conservatory feel. There are loads of seating options here spread across various levels in what at first appears to be quite a chaotic layout. The windows look out over a sizeable patio area with loads more seating which is partly shaded by the surrounding trees. Turning right from the entrance, you find yourself in a completely different pub, as you emerge into a much smaller area, broken up by numerous pillars which help to create various nooks and crannies, far removed from the vast open space on the other side. This area has a much more traditional pub feel to it, with a small stove on one wall underneath an archway which looks through what appears to have once been the chimney breast. There are loads of photos on the walls of various sports teams and I noticed, amongst other things, a signed Glamorgan shirt and bat in a display case. Unsurprisingly, cricket was being shown on several TV screens throughout the pub. There is a second patio on this side of the building, which should ensure there is plenty of space for cricket fans to spill out onto on match days. The pub’s Welsh name (‘The Black Pig in English), hints at a bi-lingual approach and a keen attempt to provide interesting Welsh brews at the bar. On my visit, two house beers from the Vale of Glamorgan Brewery were available – Cwrw (Beer) and Cwrw Haf (Summer Beer) – alongside Gower Brewery Gower Gold and Cottage Waterloo. The Gower Gold was well kept and went down well after walking here in the uncharacteristic humid heat of the afternoon. I thought this was a nice pub, well set up for large crowds on match days, yet with a more intimate, traditional area for quieter times, which ensured the place retained the feel of a proper pub. The decent local ales make this place stand out from the competition and I’d recommend a pleasant walk through the park from the castle to give this place a try.

A modern pub despite the unusual cottage-like façade next to the park. Aimed at a younger audience, it’s big on the cricket and rugby. Quite Welsh, everything is bilingual. Interior highlight is a large open plan conservatory with outdoor decking that has trees growing through it. Welsh micros available – Vale of Glamorgan (they brew two for pub, not sure if they are originals or re-badges) and Breconshire on my visit, though I was rather unimpressed by the quality. Does a big trade in food. Despite the disappointment regarding the ale, I’d give this another go as I’m sure it can do better.

Y Mochyn Du ( or The Black Pig to give it its English equivalent ) is a former gatekeeper’s lodge situated close to the redeveloped SWALEC cricket stadium between Cathedral Road and the River Taff, a shortish walk over the bridge and through the park from the City Centre. It describes itself as a Pub and Restaurant ( interestingly, the Welsh translation – Tafarn a Bwyty – is given equal prominence ) and is a large rambling pub with a number of distinct different areas. One corner of the pub is a cricketing corner and contains interesting memorabilia relating to Glamorgan County Cricket Club ( eg Gary Sobers hitting six sixes in an over at St Helens, Richards and Dale putting on 425 against Middlesex ) . There’s also an autographed cricket bat signed by the Australian Cricket Team of 1966. Interestingly, despite an Ashes Test having been played there last year, pictures relating to the England cricket team were noticeable by their absence. Another area of this part of the pub features the inevitable rugby photographs. This particular part of the pub has much exposed brickwork and a comfortable, cosy feel to it. At the other end of the pub is a large open plan conservatory which is food orientated with outdoor seating for better weather. On the real ale front, 4 beers were available, Red Dragon ( 4.7% at £ 2.80p ) from Breconshire Brewery, which was an excellent pint, together with 3 beers from The Vale of Glamorgan Brewery. There’s quite a noticeably more Welsh emphasis here than I detected in other Cardiff pubs that I had earlier called in on, but, if you want to sample non – Brains beers, this pub is well worth seeking out. Probably best avoided when there’s a major cricket game on though