A new beer is being launched to celebrate the Welsh origins of the most classic of Irish drinks – Guinness.
The new dark ale, called Gwin y Gwan, will be unveiled at the inaugural Anglesey Food Festival by Anglesey Brewing Company.
Tom Adamson, who is head brewer at Anglesey named the beer after a slogan from Guinness adverts in Wales in the 1950s.
The English translation was ‘Guinness for Strength’.
Adamson says that Arthur Guinness became a fan of dark beer when he stopped off at a coaching inn in Llanfairfechan during business trips between Ireland and London.
He said: “When Arthur Guinness was staying over at the inn, the owner of it had been brewing this dark beer and apparently after a few years of travelling back and forth he actually asked for the recipe from the owner.
“The owner gladly gave it to him which led to the creation of the Guinness we know and love – and the rest is now brewing history as they say.
“With Gwin y Gwan, I’m paying homage to a brewing legend and its Welsh roots.
“It’s made from hops, barley and its secret ingredient – a special yeast – and the taste is earthy and chocolateyand at 4.8% it’s not too strong.
“I chose to call it Gwin y Gwan because that’s the affectionate name Welsh speaking people have for Guinness ever since those famous adverts because of its fortifying qualities.”
Gwin y Gwan will be available at a number of the pubs featuring as part of a new ale trail across Anglesey.
Shelley Barratt, director of The Real Ale Trail Company said: “The Anglesey Food Festival is a fantastic way for local micro brewers to promote their beers.
“We have people coming on our ale trails from all over the UK specifically to sample and taste these beers. North Wales is a real hotbed of unique and inspiring beers like Gwin y Gwan.”
Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling