Craft Brewery tap rooms and bars in and around Swansea

A craft brewery's tap room is special, a little different to a bar, here the craft brewer showcases their creations, more like an interactive gallery, with limited edition tipples that you won't get anywhere else and trial runs that might not last another batch, the brewery's tap room allows the brewer to gauge their newly crafted beer recipes on a worthy few. At the brewery's tap you'll find the art of brewing close at hand, a curated line of the brewer's exhibited craft and a selection of their own favourite beers from other crafters; each brewery's tap room conveys the brewer's personality, each different, each a destination to include on your beer to-do list. 

Swansea, not unlike other cities in Wales, and the wider United Kingdom, has seen an upsurge in Craft Breweries, opening their doors and providing the public with delicious drinks. Just take a look at our map to see the richness of craft breweries in the area.

Here are a few of our favourites from in and around Swansea:

Pilot Microbrewery

The Pilot is a gem of Swansea history, licensed in its Mumbles premises since 1849, it is a must visit for beer lovers in the area. They have rich pedigree, helping newer breweries like Beer Riff find their feet and become the craft beer artists they are today. The Pilot's bar has character, which you'd expect of its grand old age, and the beers on offer are plentiful and diverse. After a stroll along the Mumbles' famous promenade, stop in for a lovingly made pint and chat with the loyal locals who frequent it.

Grey Trees' National Tap

Grey Trees' taproom is to be found in a cosy nook of Aberdare's main street, a pretty forty minutes away from the coastal city. Grey Trees have carved out a name for themselves in Craft beer and if you're in the area, add them to your list. Their beers are award winning, their Afghan Pale Ale and Digger's Gold, a nod to black gold once the heart and soul of every valley's coal mining community, have picked up Great Taste Awards, amongst others. Their style is a distinctive black & white, their attitude to beer is uncompromising, and an open day at their brewery, a short distance from the taproom, is not be missed.

Beer Riff

With a young and rebellious image, doffing their cap to the skate scene, Beer Riff's tap room is decked out with skateboards and illustrations by Phil Morgan, an artist with welsh roots whose work is as much a reason to visit the scenic location on Swansea's Marina, perfect on a sunny afternoon as you watch the boats sail in and out, often accompanied by a friendly seal who frolics around the lock gate at the entrance to the marina. Beer Riff's range includes IPA's, like their Hench Double, and tongue challenging sours, their Sharp Dressed Sour is particularly good, and delicious full bodied Porter's.

Boss Brewery

Perhaps recently famous for their battle with Hugo Boss, documented by Joe Lycett who assisted the brewery in their fight against the fashion behemoth, the Boss brewery can be found directly opposite Swansea's Liberty stadium, its taproom resides on the same grounds and is popular on a match day with both beer enthusiasts and locals alike. Their style is striking comic illustration, you can't miss their comic book characters painted across the entrance to the brewer's grounds as you drive past. Boss' beers are also not to be missed, their Boss Blonde pale ale is a particular favourite but their range is varied and has something for every taste: their Boss Black stout should also be given special attention, a winner of multiple awards not least the Champion Beer of Wales 2016.

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