The Artisan Brewing Company was started in a garage off the Kings Road in Canton, Cardiff, by Simon Doherty three year’s ago. Under the brand-name Barenaked Beers, he makes a range of distinctive continental-style lagers. There’s a varying seasonal selection, including Munich-style Helles Lager, Kolsch, ALTbeer, Bavarian Wheat, Chocolate Wheatbeer, and even a smoked lager. Simon likes a pure product, which could pass German Beer Purity Laws. Grain is imported from Germany and the hops are traditional.
The complex chocolate, coffee, spice, banana, malt, biscuit, and other flavours found in the various beers arise from the combination of grains, hops and yeast, rather than from added ingredients. Simon tells me it’s mainly down to the grain: “The supplier in Bamburg has a list of grains a hundred long, a bit like coffee beans – in the process of drying and processing something is changed to give it a different character. You can mix different grains to get pretty much any style beer you want”.
Bottles of Barenaked Beer can be purchased from the brewery on Saturdays between 12-7pm. On the first Saturday of the month you can also get a BBQ there. The MicroBeer Fest with live music that used to be held at the brewery now takes place in a nearby courtyard (due to a Noise Prevention Order). The next one of these events is on Saturday 18th June (12 noon to 9pm). Six local bands will be playing and entry is free (see their website for further details). The beer is also sold in independent bars in Cardiff. Gwdihw sell Barenaked Beers on draught. You might also find them in the Milgi Lounge.
Simon has had his setbacks this year, including a trademark dispute with Pepsi Cola and the withdrawal of some investors, but he is positive about the future and plans to expand the brewery by the end of the year.
Read my full interview with Simon Doherty in the 2011 South Wales Food & Drink Guide, which will be published later this year.
Artisan Brewery Co, 183A Kings Road, Cardiff CF11 9DF
http://www.artisanbeer.co.uk/
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