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Yr Hen Lew Du, Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
SY23 1PZ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Yr Hen Lew Du
This place has really gone to the dogs. Now has a dull dark blue interior (with little natural light for contrast), the table we sat at was constantly rumbling due to (presumably) a knackered refrigeration unit underneath us in the cellar. One ale of unknown provenance which I couldn’t summon-up the motivation to have, thought I’d play it safe with a keg Worthington Smooth but somehow they’d conspired to make a mess of that as well, god knows how. What a pit – though it seems to mirror the decline of this part of town over the last few years.
May 2011
Massive refurb has completely transformed/destroyed the place. Re-introduction of decent real ale in the shape of Purple Moose. Early days but I pine for the old Llew Du. Rated 5
March 2010
The Welsh-speaking nationalist hangout in town, which puts a lot of English (and English-speaking Welsh) off. Don’t be, it’s got a nice vibe. Inside is a bit of a warren. There's usually an ale that's hit and miss. A good place to watch Wales play if you’re a fan, brilliant atmosphere. Also hosts occasional gigs. Can be a bit expensive.
Click the link towards the bottom of the page for an expanded review.
On 8th May 2022
- rating: 2
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Beer Belly left this review about Yr Hen Lew Du
Very plain Pub one that may look modern today but you feel will end up like other Aber Pubs and look tired and dated in fifteen years. The cosy feel that the low ceiling created along with a fire has gone for good along with the local regulars, rear smoking area is an absolute tip . Beer is OK but a bit too much sickly tasting Pale Ale types and no Darker varieties. It's a shame you cannot put preservation orders for Pub interiors.
On 10th June 2016
- rating: 4
[User has posted 24 recommendations about 24 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Yr Hen Llew Du
I was wrong about the name in the description below. Llew (Lion) becomes mutated to Lew when the adjective Hen (Old) precedes it, normally adjectives follow the noun in Welsh. I had this explained to me by a young local further up the coast who told me it was correct but couldn't explain it in English!
I suggested the word Mutation and he immediately concurred.
Visit October 2014
At midday on an October Thursday none of the three nearby Banks's pubs were showing any sign of opening so I thought I would try it for the first time.
The first thing to notice is that the new sign is wrong, the Welsh word for Lion is Llew not Lew! Apparently this was originally a coaching inn that presumably was in use before the railway came. If the stagecoaches used what is now the A44 then it must have been a challenging journey as they crossed the lower slopes of Plynlimon at over 800 feet.
Inside it is an open plan wooden floored room that has been divided into three distinct areas.
On the bar there were three draught options, Purple Moose Glaslyn Ale, the hefty Gwynt Y Ddraig Black Dragon cider and a house beer. The house beer is called Cwrw Yr Hen Lew Du at 3.6% ABV. A blackboard gives the game away as it says it is from Bragdy Molson Coors, so is guaranteed to be not worth drinking. I went for the Purple Moose Glaslyn (£3.20) which was in good nick but expensive for round here.
This pub was a lot better than I thought it would be, but I went to it with low expectations. The Glaslyn Ale makes it worth dropping in if not rammed with students.
On 3rd February 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]