Like other parts of the UK, Wales has seen a growth in microbrewers since the advent of progressive beer duty encouraged small scale producers to set up. There are more breweries operating in the principality than for 70 years and the Good Beer Guide 2007 lists five more newcomers.
Wales, in fact, seems well-blessed with choice for the publican who wants to add a local flavour to the beer range, although these days beers you could call distinctively Welsh - unless you count the branding - are in the minority.
Arthur Daley, the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) former regional director for Wales, describes the native brew as "sweet and malty", a quaffable ale that could slake the thirsts of miners and steelworkers.
Brains Dark and Hancock's HB, now made by Coors, are long survivors of the style. "But tastes have changed," says Arthur. "Like drinkers in the rest of the UK, the Welsh are going for golden ales."
He points out that, in complete contrast to tradition, CAMRA's reigning Supreme Champion beer is Otley's 08, a hoppy brew that weighs in at a less than quaffable eight per cent ABV.
Otley is one of the newcomers, set up in Pontypridd in 2005, as was Porthmadog's Purple Moose, which has also been picking up the awards, not only claiming two regional CAMRA titles last year but being named the Society of Independent Brewers' Champion for the West.
Brewing since 2004, Penlon Cottage of Llanarth is another one to note, since, unusually, it specialises in bottled beers. That hasn't stopped it finding a market among food-led pubs for its brands, though, which, incidentally, are all named after sheep.
The following list was compiled with the help of the Good Beer Guide and you can find more information there or on the brewer's website, if they have one.
Most of the smaller companies are limited in direct distribution but they may be listed by wholesalers - and they're always willing to make an effort if the order is big enough!
SA Brain
Cardiff
029 2040 2060
brains@sabrain.com
www.sabrain.com
Breconshire
Brecon, Powys
01874 623731
sales@breconshirebrewery.com
www.breconshirebrewery.com
Bryn
Denbigh
01745 812266
info@bragdyrbryn.co.uk
www.bragdyrbryn.co.uk
Bryncelyn Brewery
Swansea
01639 843625
wernfawrinn@fsmail.net
www.bryncelynbrewery.org.uk
Bullmastiff Brewery
Cardiff
029 2066 5292
Conwy
Conwy
01492 585287
enquiries@conwybrewery.co.uk
www.conwybrewery.co.uk
Cwmbran
Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen
01633 485233
cwmbranbrewery@btconnect.com
www.cwmbranbrewery.co.uk
Evan Evans
Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire
01558 824455
info@evan-evans.com
www.evan-evans.com
Facer's
Flint
07713 566370
dave@facers.co.uk
Felinfoel Brewery
Felinfoel, Carmarthenshire
01554 773357
info@felinfoel-brewery.com
www.felinfoel-brewery.com
Great Orme
Colwyn Bay, Conwy
01492 580548
info@greatormebrewery.co.uk
www.greatormebrewery.co.uk
Jacobi
Pumsaint, Carmarthenshire
01558 650605
justin@jacobibrewery.co.uk
Jolly Brewer
Wrexham
01978 263338
pene@jollybrewer.co.uk
www.jollybrewer.co.uk
Kingstone
Whitebrook, Monmouth
01600 860778
Otley
Pontypridd, Mid-Glamorgan
01443 480555
info@otleybrewing.co.uk
www.otleybrewing.co.uk
Penlon Cottage
Llanarth, Ceredigion
01545 580022
beer@penlon.biz
www.penlon.biz
Plassey
Wrexham
01978 781111
plassey@globalnet.co.uk
www.plasseybrewery.co.uk
Purple Moose
Porthmadog, Gwynned
01766 515571
beer@purplemoose.co.uk
www.purplemoose.co.uk
Rhymney
Merthyr Tydfil
01685 722253
enquiries@rhymneybreweryltd.com
www.rhymneybreweryltd.com
Swansea
Swansea
01792 290197
rorygowland@fsbdial.co.uk
Tomos Watkin
Swansea
01792 797300
beer@hurns.co.uk
www.hurnsbeer.co.uk
Vale of Glamorgan
Barry, Glamorgan
01446 730757
info@vogbrewery.co.uk
www.vogbrewery.co.uk
Warcop
Wentlooge, Gwent
01633 680058
william.picton@tesco.net
www.warcopales.com
Webbs
Ebbw Vale
01495 370026
info@webbsbrewery.co.uk
www.webbsbrewery.co.uk