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

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.

Originally a coaching inn, this large roadside pub still offers B&B.  There is a car park opposite, and an old stage coach gate guardian serves as a reminder of the pub’s past.  The B&B rooms are now in a modern extension, while the ground floor of the main building has multiple rooms for diners and drinkers.  The main bar is an irregular shape and gets quite crowded, there is a dining room at one side and there is a smaller bar near the main door, all with plenty of tables for diners, though it can be difficult to find somewhere to eat as small families have a tendency to hog large tables here.  Off the main bar a stained glass door leads to a small games room with its own bar counter, dart board, pool table and jukebox; this room is mainly used by locals.  The staff were friendly and efficient, the food came in large portions and was freshly cooked mainly from local ingredients, the clientele were mainly walkers and B&B guests.  Four ales on: Purple Moose Maddog and Elderflower, and Sandstone Brewery’s Onyx Dragon and Celtic, all in excellent condition, and there was a local cider on.  A convivial pub with good beer, well worth spending time in and a good place to B&B.

Situated on the A5 with a large car park immediately opposite (look for the carriage in its own canopy opposite). This is a hotel with 3 bar rooms which have a pub feel about them. The main bar room has beamed ceilings with jugs hanging. Cask ales were Purple Moose Glaslyn Ale and Snowdonia Ale and Kite Brewery Gorslas Ale. One handpull was unused. We went in for lunchtime food but I felt I could happily spend an evening here.