Penhelig Arms, Aberdovey

Small bar attached to the main hotel building that functions more as a restaurant for the hotel than a proper pub. However since the previous reviews they have converted most of the small triangular car parking space opposite into an external beer garden. Not only does it have excellent views of the estuary but it also catches the afternoon sun and was a great spot for a late afternoon pint. Same three Brains beer on and we tried both the Brains Bitter and SA which were well kept and thoroughly enjoyable being consumed in the setting evening sun.

I visited this pub around 20 years ago and I'm sure it was a large square basic room so either my memory is wrong or it has completely changed. As described below it is now a small rather narrow room with wooden floors and set up more for food although I wouldn't call it a gastropub. Like the Dovey Inn up the road it is a Brain's pub and three of their beers were on the bar Bitter, Rev James and the seasonal Bread of Heaven. I went for the bitter (£2.95) which again was in excellent condition and a much better beer than I remembered from the past. It's a bit too foody for me but worth a look. Earlier in the Dovey Inn the young barman told me he had never been in here and I have to say I also preferred their sister pub.