What Is Barry Island Beer Like

I am of course talking about Barry Island IPA, said to be an American style IPA. It is brewed by SA Brains Brewery based close by in Cardiff, Wales. So what is Barry Island beer like?

Barry Island IPA is not American style at all, more of a old British style, but you know what, it is okay. It pours a clear gold with a one finger head. On the nose it is sweet malt followed by a little hoppy citrus. The taste hits with that sweet malt which then turns to a nice hoppy citrus kick. It finishes with a rather sharp bitterness which I like. For me it gets a straight 4.0 out of 5.0.

It doesn’t hit the dizzy heights of a US IPA, but it still delivers in its own way.

Table Of Contents

Barry Island IPA Review

Barry Island IPA is not a new beer, it has been around since its launch is June 2012. It was a collaboration between Brains brewery and Simon Martin the Youtube beer reviewer.

I am not sure whether Simon is still involved with this beer, but what a great achievement. Simon actually reviewed this beer when it was released on his Youtube Channel Real Ale Craft Beer.

At the time it weighed in at 6.0% ABV and had a lot of buzz around the beer scene. There were plenty of positives out there for this beer. However since then there have been a lot of negatives about this beer.

It was brewed with Cascade, Summit and Zeus hops, it is still said to be brewed with a trio of hops, but I am not sure they are the same hops.

Whatever it has been in the past, today it weighs in at 5.0% ABV, sits in a funky can and still claims to be an American style IPA.

It’s not, but I think it is okay.

Drinking Barry Island IPA

On the pour this beer settles to a mid gold with a one finger head, this does fade a little to a thin cover. A clear beer with plenty of bubbles rising to the surface.

On the nose it is sweet malt up front, followed by some hoppy tropical citrus notes, a little orange and grapefruit. Although Lou did not pick those aromas up like I did.

In for a taste and for me it pretty much mirrors the smell. A little malt up front, quickly followed by a moderate but nice hoppy kick of citrus. Again maybe orange, as well as grapefruit which builds the sharp bitterness on the finish.

Barry Island IPA doesn’t come over as an American style IPA, it is more an old style British IPA. Being a Brains beer and probably because I have had it before on tap, I wasn’t expecting much, so it kind of delivered for me.

M’Lady on the other hand was expecting more, and it underdelivered for her. Lou says “Not a bad beer, just a bit boring and bland. There is nothing wrong with it, but it’s just a standard beer.”

If you ignore the words ‘American Style’ it is an okay beer. You are not going to get an American hop bomb, but what you will get is a half decent beer with some hoppy citrus flavours and a bitter finish.

I score it 4.0 out of 5.0 and Lou scores it exactly the same 4.0 out of 5.0.

Brains Brewery

Brains Brewery has quite the history dating back to 1882 and founded by Samuel Arthur Brain and his uncle Joseph Benjamin Brain.

The brewery was situated in the heart of the city of Cardiff in Wales. However it moved to a new facility in 2003 and the old brewery was converted into bars and restaurants and is now known as the Brewery Quarter.

In 2019 the brewery moved again into another new facility now called The Dragon Brewery.

Brains use to have more than 250 pubs and hotels in and around south Wales. However in 2020 Marston’s took over the running of most of the pubs, while the others were sold off.

Today Brains still brew many beers and are a popular brewery in Wales.

Brains Beer Range

A brewery that is over 140 years old, you would expect a large beer range, and while they have brewed many beers over the years, their current range is not vast but adequate.

There are some old style ale favourites as well as a few new craft style beers too.

SA Gold

SA Gold is a golden ale that is said to be full in flavour with refreshing hoppy and citrus notes. An easy drinking beer that weighs in at 4.7% ABV.

A session beer that is available on tap or in bottle. I am not sure whether I have had this one or not, but if I see it I will give it a go.

Bayside

Bayside is a lager inspired by the evolution of Cardiff city, in particular the transformation of the old Cardiff docks into the modern Cardiff Bay.

A crisp and invigorating lager which will quench the thirst with its refreshing light body. At 4.3% ABV it is okay to have more than one, so likely to quench any thirst.

Dark

Dark is a stout or at least a pretty dark beer with its black body and cream head. An obvious favourite it has been brewed since the 1920’s and is still popular today.

Expect chocolate flavours with a little some liquorice and coffee bite, while creamy and smooth in the mouth. It weighs in at just 4.1% ABV so relax with a couple and unwind.

I have had Dark a few times over the years, however I thin my last time was around ten years ago. I need to revisit and review it, so I will.

Final Thoughts

So Brains are a decent brewery that have brewed many beers over the years. Some have come and gone, but a select few have stood the test of time.

Barry Island IPA for me as a decent little old style IPA, It won’t blow your socks off, but I kind of like it. I think the can design and description while great, almost set it up for a fall because people expect an American hop bomb.

While it doesn’t deliver on an American style, it’s a reasonable little session IPA. However I think it might just split the crowd. So if you have tried it or are going to try it, then do share your thoughts below and let me know what you think.