Celebrating Welsh food and drink

specialityfoodmagazine.com 41 Brains Brewery NICK PAYNE S.A. Brain & Company, known as Brains Brewery, is a historic and highly respected brewer based in Cardiff, Wales, founded in 1882 by Samuel Arthur Brain. Over the years, Brains has built a strong reputation rooted in Welsh heritage and community, brewing classics like Brains Bitter, Dark, Skull Attack (SA), and the Rev. James range. In 2025, Brains entered a bold new chapter under the leadership of newly appointedmanaging director Nick Payne, who has emphasised the need to “move with the times” and evolve while honouring the brewery’s deep legacy. To steer this transformation, they have partnered with Toward, a Cardiff-based design studio, to deliver a full brand refresh. The refresh includes a redesigned logo, a fresh colour palette, and amodernised visual identity that retains a strong connection to the warmth, community spirit, and rich heritage of Brains. As part of the rebrand, Brains has also commissionedWelsh artists to design their limited edition beer pump clips in collaboration with Arts & Business Cymru, reinforcing the brewery’s commitment to celebrating local creativity. This rebrand represents more than just a visual update – it’s a strategic effort to strengthen Brains’ relevance for a new generation of drinkers while preserving the traditions that have defined the brewery for over 140 years. brainsbrewery.com Hafod Brewing Company PHILL BLANCHARD Founded in 2011 by head brewer Phill Blanchard, Hafod Brewing Company has been crafting award-winning beers from its Mold brewery for fourteen years. They have earned eight Great Taste Awards across the core range, including Sunrise Pale Ale, Landmark Bitter, Moel Famau Porter and Freestyle IPA. Hafod Brewing Company’s approach is simple: theymake balanced, characterful beers that people genuinely want to drink. Modern doesn’t have tomean extreme – it’s about getting the balance right. Each recipe delivers character while staying approachable, because the best beers are the ones you want to drink again. Being family-ownedmeans every beer carries Hafod Brewing Company’s name and reputation. They believe they are building something bigger than themselves, batch by batch. The hills, the people, the place – it’s all part of who they are and that shows in every pint. Hafod Brewing Company is deeply rooted in their North Wales community. Their spent grain supports local farms, and they are working towardmore sustainable brewing through renewable energy. They are also activemembers of Taste North East Wales and regular supporters of local events and festivals. welshbeer.com