Tyn-y-Coed Inn, Betws-Y-Coed

I like the old stage coach opposite the hotel, being sheltered from the rain under its own roof. Without this reminder of Capel Curig's important position on the old A5, it would be hard to imagine this inn as anything other than the modernised and enhanced building that it now is. The bar is on the right when entering, and has several different areas, though whether these bear any relation to the old rooms that might have been is a matter for debate. The walls are adorned with some modern paintings of local mountains, some of which are quite dramatic and possibly quite well done, though obviously I am no expert. The bar is situated in a small corridor leading to the rooms further on, so it's natural for a queue to form at busy periods. There was a bit of a rush on at the end of the lunch time session, with one member of staff both serving drinks and taking food orders. My request for two halves of beer from Purple Moose (Cwrw Madog and Dark Side of the Moose) might have come as a relief, but she had to top up the frothy heads, so not much respite after all. After that kerfuffle I was quite prepared for the beers to be so-so, but in fact they were both solid NBSS 3.5, and £5.40/pint. (The other two beers were also as described in the previous review, so I think we can assume that these are four regulars.) For a tourist hotel cum dining pub I thought this was pretty good.

Situated at the eastern end of Capel Curig, this looks like a traditional pub from the outside. The car park can be found opposite, where there is an old stage coach indicating the pub's former use. As you enter, there is a hotel reception in front of you. The bar/dining area is off to the right and is a maze of different rooms/spaces, all with a very modern feel, not really befitting of its coaching inn status. It was busy with a mix of locals and visiting families, some drinking, some dining, on our Sunday lunchtime appearance. Despite not featuring in the Good Beer Guide since 2021, the Tyn-y-Coed has the best selection of cask ales in the village. 3 from Purple Moose were on - Cwrw Tyn Y Coed (seemingly a re-badged Madog's Ale), Snowdonia Ale & Dark Side of the Moose. In addition, they also had Cwrw Nan Aur Y Felin, which I thought I had just had in the White Horse in Capel Garmon. The pumpclip was exactly the same, but instead of the 3.4% golden beer I'd had in the White Horse, this was a 3.8% beer with an IPA sticker on it! I ordered it and it tasted suspiciously like the one I'd just had. So, I suspect the different percentage and the IPA sticker were somehow red herrings. Either way, it was good to see 4 local beers on cask.