Brains Beer: Where To Buy The Popular Brew

Brains (S. A. Brain & Company Ltd.) is a regional brewery based in Cardiff, Wales. It was founded in 1882 by Samuel Arthur Brain and has been entirely family-owned for nearly 150 years. Brains beer is sold in pubs across Wales, and the company also sells bottled beer online. In this article, we will explore where you can buy Brains beer, both in pubs and online, and provide an overview of the different types of beer they offer. We will also discuss the history of the brewery and its recent expansion into new locations and types of drinks.

Brains beer is available online at Best of British Beer

Best of British Beer offers speedy delivery with DHL and provides a free gift message with every order. The website offers a range of Brains beers in different quantities and volumes. For instance, you can purchase 15 x 330ml bottles of American IPA, or 12 x 500ml bottles of Best Bitter, Mild, or Brains Mix.

The Best of British Beer website also provides information about the history of the Brains brewery. In 1882, Samuel Arthur Brain and his uncle, Joseph Benjamin Brain, bought the Old Brewery on St. Mary Street in Cardiff, which dated back to 1713. By 1900, the brewery was producing 1,000 barrels of beer a week, supplying 80 of their public houses.

In addition to its online presence, Brains beer can also be found in pubs and bars across Cardiff and Wales, although the company has diversified its offerings in recent years to include coffee shops as well.

Brains Brewery is based in Cardiff, Wales

Brains Brewery, officially S. A. Brain & Company Ltd., is a regional brewery based in Cardiff, Wales. Founded in 1882, it has been a fixture of the city and a source of local pride for almost 150 years. The company was established when Samuel Arthur Brain, a brewer from Bristol, England, and his uncle Joseph Benjamin Brain, Chairman of the West of England Bank, bought the Old Brewery on St. Mary Street in Cardiff's city centre. This original site, believed to be the oldest brewery in Cardiff, dates back to the 18th century.

Over the years, Brains Brewery has expanded and moved to different locations within Cardiff. In 1999, the company acquired the former Hancock's Brewery, located just south of Cardiff Central railway station. This site became their primary brewing location starting in 2000. In 2003, Brains redeveloped their original Old Brewery site into a modern bar and restaurant complex, creating a vibrant leisure space in the heart of the city.

The company has deep roots in Cardiff and has played an essential role in the city's social scene and cultural life. At its peak, Brains Brewery controlled more than 250 pubs across South Wales, Mid Wales, and the West Country, with a strong presence in Cardiff itself. Their beers, including the flagship brand Brains SA and others like Brains Dark, Brains Bitter, and Brains IPA, are beloved by locals and have become synonymous with the city's drinking culture.

In recent years, Brains Brewery has faced some challenges. In 2022, they sold most of their pub estate, and there have been discussions about potentially brewing outside of Wales due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite these hurdles, Brains remains an iconic symbol of Cardiff and Wales, and the family retains ownership of the brand. The company continues to adapt and find new ways to perpetuate its beloved brand and high-quality beers.

The company was founded in 1882

Brains (S. A. Brain & Company Ltd.) is a regional brewery based in Cardiff, Wales. The company was founded in 1882 by Samuel Arthur Brain, a brewer from Bristol, England. Brain purchased the Old Brewery on St. Mary Street in Cardiff along with his uncle, Joseph Benjamin Brain, Chairman of the West of England Bank. The Old Brewery, believed to be the oldest in Cardiff, was originally established by the Thomas brothers in the 18th century.

In its first year of operation, the brewery produced 100 barrels of beer a week and operated 11 pubs. By 1900, Brains had expanded to 1,000 barrels of beer a week, supplying 80 pubs. The company continued to grow, and by 1914, the Old Brewery had been expanded with a new brewery built in St Mary Street. In 1997, Brains took over Crown Buckley in Llanelli, and in 1999, they bought the former Hancock's Brewery, just south of Cardiff Central railway station. In 2000, Brains moved its production to the Hancock's site, and the Old Brewery was redeveloped into a modern bar and restaurant complex.

The company has a long history in Wales, with the Brain family retaining ownership for nearly 150 years. At its peak, Brains controlled more than 250 pubs in South Wales, Mid Wales, and the West Country. The brand is closely associated with Welsh culture and has sponsored rugby teams and bridges with advertising slogans. In recent years, Brains has faced some challenges, including the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the sale of many of its pubs. However, the company has taken steps to safeguard jobs and adapt to changing circumstances.

Brains beer is sold in pubs across South Wales, Mid Wales and the West Country

Brains beer is sold across pubs in South Wales, Mid Wales, and the West Country. The company was founded in 1882 by Samuel Arthur Brain and, at its peak, controlled more than 250 pubs in these regions. The majority of Brains beer is sold through pubs, with 80-85% of their beer being sold this way.

Brains is a regional brewery based in Cardiff, Wales. The original brewery was believed to be the oldest in Cardiff, established by the Thomas brothers in the 18th century. In 1882, it was acquired by Samuel Arthur Brain and his uncle, Joseph Benjamin Brain, and renamed S. A. Brain & Company Ltd. The company has been entirely family-owned for nearly 150 years, with 10 family members serving as Chairman.

Brains beer is a popular choice in Wales, and the company has sponsored several rugby teams and railway bridges with their advertising slogans. In 2019, the company expanded with the opening of the Dragon Brewery at the Pacific Business Park in the east of Cardiff by Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge.

While Brains beer is predominantly sold in pubs across South Wales, Mid Wales, and the West Country, it is also available for purchase online and in some retail stores. The company has diversified its offerings beyond beer, including the purchase of the Cardiff-based coffee house chain, Coffee#1, in 2011.

The beer may soon be brewed outside of Wales

Brains beer has been brewed in Wales since 1882, when it was first made in the old brewery on Cardiff's St Mary Street. The company, S. A. Brain & Company Ltd., is based in Cardiff, Wales, and has been brewing beer in the country for almost 140 years.

However, in November 2024, the company's chief executive, Alistair Darby, announced that Brains beer may soon be brewed outside of Wales. The coronavirus pandemic had a significant impact on the company, leading to consultations on potential job losses and the possible closure of its central brewery in East Moors, Cardiff.

Mr Darby emphasized that the family would retain ownership of the beer and brand, and they are committed to perpetuating the brand, which holds significant importance to Wales. He stated that if the beer is brewed elsewhere, it must be of the highest quality and finest condition.

While it is unclear where Brains beer would be brewed if the Cardiff brewery is closed, there is a possibility that it could be produced in one of Marston's breweries in England, such as those located in Burton-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Oxfordshire, or Hampshire. This development marks a significant shift for the iconic Welsh brand, which has been a staple in the country's brewing industry for almost a century and a half.

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