Based in South Wales, The Celt Experience is one of my very favourite breweries.
Their Core range is where it all began for the Celt Experience and is a master-class in perfecting and exploring traditional and classic ales. We love the Golden Age, a citrussy session ale at 4.2% and the Bleddyn IPA (5.6%, coming soon to TBE on keg) – a perfect balance of grapefruit notes, sweetness and bitterness.
When they get experimental or go big, they will blow your mind!
The Shapeshifter series is all about innovative collaborations with both British and international breweries. A Beer Emporium favourite is the Barbarian’s Beverage, their collaboration with Otley, another great Welsh Brewery. It’s a black IPA with American hops and a big fresh chilli hit.
In exciting news, we CANNOT WAIT to receive our delivery of the ‘Bristol Meth’ – a fantastically named collaboration with Bristol favourites Wiper and True. It’s going to be another big Imperial IPA at 7.4%, with American yeast AND its infused with pine! Stay tuned to the website and social media – we will let you know when we put this beauty on!
If that’s not enough, just wait for the Ogham Range. These are all imperial strength beers so go easy! At the moment we’re serving the Willow, an 8.8% American Style Magestic IPA. Syrupy sweet with pineapple and guava notes, and a lovely crisp bitter finish.
We caught up with Tom Newman, the founder and head brewer, to get an idea of his background and the inspiration for these fantastic beers. Tom started out in his Dad’s garage as a home-brewer but gave up his day job to focus solely on brewing 10 years ago. He set up the Celt experience in Caerphilly and is inspired by nature in the beautiful surrounding countryside as well as science and experimentation of ingredients and styles. In his spare time, Tom loves to sip on a Biere de Garde with a bit of Parma ham in the summer, or a big 10% plus imperial porter with some rochefort cheese in the winter.
Thank you Tom and to all of the Celt Experience team – lovely people and superb beer!