Three Cwmbran pubs (and one ‘bonus’ pub with a link to our town) have made it into the prestigious Good Beer Guide 2026.
The pubs that get a slot in this annual book are there thanks to the ‘scores’ of volunteer members of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). Throughout the year, they go out, buy a pint or two, and upload their scores to the CAMRA website.
The scores are based on the quality of the real ale. Nothing else.
It’s a great system, and this is the logic. If a pub serves good real ale, the chances are everything else falls into place. And by that, I mean it’s well-run. Looking after real ale isn’t easy, its lifespan is short, and the whole process from barrel to pint is a juggle.
Quick declaration- I’ve been a CAMRA member for around 20 years. I’ve been in all parts of the UK and I’ve used this guidebook countless times. Off the top of my head, trips to Weston Super Mare, Brentford, and Dover have been made a lot better by confidently strolling through the doors of pubs that have been listed in that year’s current guide.
Here are the Cwmbran entries for the new guide:
🍺 Queen Inn: “Attractive pub with a rural backdrop and a bubbling mountain stream at the front.”
🍺 Bush Inn: “…this cosy real-fired and stone-flagged community pub has two areas, reflecting its origins and multiple cottages.”
🍺 John Fielding- “This large, single-storey modern Wetherspoon conversion in the town centre boasts a wide real ale offering.”
🍺 Plus, I have to mention Weird Dad Brewery Tap (23 Caelreon Road, Newport) as it’s run by Cwmbran man, Lee Dunning. The guide entry says: “Some 17 taps facilitate a wide range of cask and keg beers, with a variety of chilled cans and bottles also available to drink in or take out.”
‘Independence’
CAMRA’s Wales Director Chris Charters said: “CAMRA champions great cask beer in great pubs, with independence and choice at the heart of our Good Beer Guide and our campaigning. This is the only Guidebook you can buy that supports a campaigning organisation that fights for pubs, pints and consumer rights.”
“Each edition of the Guide is also a collectible snapshot of Welsh and UK beer and pub culture from that year. This year’s Guide is a testament to the remarkable resilience of publicans, continuing to achieve excellence and choice for consumers despite a backdrop of sky-high tax bills and a lack of action from both Welsh and UK Governments.
“The Chancellor needs to use the upcoming Budget to slash the tax burden on pubs, including VAT, tax on beer and cider, and National Insurance contributions.
“The First Minister also needs to urgently fix the unfair business rates system which penalises our locals with unaffordable bills.”
And in the interest of ahem, research, I popped into each of the three Cwmbran pubs on Sunday 28 September. I’m not skilled enough to do tasting notes like the wonderful CAMRA volunteers, but I’ve tried my best to give a bit of a rating and story, as you know, I’m all about the story.
🍺 Queen Inn- Felinfoel’s Double Dragon: ABV 4.2% – 10/10, malty notes flipped over my tongue, perfection! Had a bonus chat with the landlord, who we may see on ITV Wales soon with a made story…watch this space.
🍺 Bush Inn- Glastonbury’s Brewing Co’s Hedge Monkey: ABV 4.6% – 10/10. The pump clip said ‘bold and ballsy,’ and it was 100% that. The flavours were on the tip of my tongue, as was the name of a former Welsh politician sitting at the table next to me, whom I recognised but could not get a name for during my visit.
🍺 John Fielding- AleSmith IPA: ABV 6% – 10/10. Avbit strong for me, but the cask next to it wasn’t on, so I had to soldier on…