Vale of Clwyd

Pub & Brewery News

After each monthly branch meeting, we add a summary of recent news affecting local pubs and breweries:

  • Pub & Brewery News Wednesday 19 November 2025
    • The Masons Arms, Denbigh, is reportedly for sale.
    • The Sun Inn, Eryrys, was the subject of a community meeting on the 19th of November while its future remains uncertain.
    • The Red Lion Inn, Holywell, reportedly has new owners who have the Coach and Horses Inn, Flint Mountain, in their portfolio.
    • The Brookhouse Mill, Denbigh, has an opening date of March 2026. Members reported significant changes are being made to the property.
    • The Glan Llyn, Clawddnewydd, has undergone a significant refurbishment with ‘On the Hill’ restaurant, based in Ruthin, running the catering franchise.
    • The Leyland Arms, Llanelidan maintains 1 real ale during the winter months.
    • The Black Horse, Buckley, is expected to be demolished to make way for a retail development although locals believe the current building should be preserved as part of any development.
    • Reports that Abbey Farm shop, Rhuddlan, is selling bottled real ale with an on licence.
    • The Swan, Gwernymynydd, has recently seen a reduction in the asking price.
    • The White Horse, Cilcain, has been selling local McNally’s ale on cask.
    • Treboom Brewery, Bagillt, has promised big news coming soon although further details have not been forthcoming.
    • The Conservative Club, Prestatyn, has been sold with rumours it is to reopen as a Sports and Social Club before Christmas.
    • Reported that the Owain Glyndwr, Gwernymynydd is to close.
  • Pub & Brewery News Wednesday 15 October 2025
    • The Owain Glyndwr, Corwen, has been nominated on behalf of the branch for the Pub Saving and Heritage awards.
    • Champion Beer of Britain voting closes on the 31st of October. Members can vote on 12 different beer styles. Eligible beers which have made the voting list have scored a minimum average of 7/10 over three separate tastings. North Wales breweries have secured 21 nominations this year.
    • The meeting was informed that the Golden Lion, Llangynhafal is now closed.
    • The meeting also heard that the Kinmel Arms, Llandyrnog may be reopening.
    • The Castle Hotel, Ruthin, are taking part in the Wetherspoons National Beer Festival and members are invited to discuss ale selections with the team.
    • Hafod Brewery, Mold, are currently offering their seasonal Plum Porter. The Brewery is keen to point out that real plums are used during the brewing process.
    • The Dee Inn, Flint, has new management. The meeting was unsure if real ale will be offered.
    • The meeting was informed that the Cookhouse, Prestatyn no longer serves real ale.
  • Pub & Brewery News Wednesday 17 September 2025
    • Bar 236, Prestatyn, has new owners from the 15th of September. The venue will be known as the Raven Cafe Bar.
    • Reports that the Druid Inn, Pontblyddyn, will open as a specialist eye clinic having ceased trading as a licensed premises a number of years ago.
    • The Three Pigeons, Craigfechan, now serves 1 real ale.
    • Ruthin Castle, Mold, recently held a ‘Cask Thursday’ with three ales on offer.
    • The Wales Pub of the Year has been announced as the Cross Inn, Rhos yr Hafod, Ceredigion.
  • Pub & Brewery News Wednesday 20 August 2025
    • The Red Lion in Holywell closed on Sunday, July 27. This due to a dispute with Flintshire council regarding the business rates and council tax being levied for the upstairs property.
    • Nominations for the CAMRA Pub Saving Award are now open.
    • Nominations for the CAMRA Heritage Award are now open.
    • The Castle Inn, Rhuddlan, had been closed for 3 weeks due to a change of management. It has now re-opened with the usual 2 ales on offer.
    • The Red Lion, Llanasa, is currently undergoing refurbishment having been closed for a number of years. No opening date as of yet.
    • Disruption to the water supply has affected many pubs in the area between Holywell and Prestatyn with closures ordered by the Council due to hygiene concerns. Normal service has now resumed.
    • Treboom Brewery has released a new ale - Dragons Tail, at 4.3%? It is described as a fruity IPA.
    • It was reported that the Plough Inn, St Asaph, is now only selling 1 real ale.
    • The Myddleton Arms, Ruthin, has been purchased by Stange & Co who own several sites in North Wales, including the Cottage Loaf, Llandudno.
  • Pub & Brewery News Wednesday 16 July 2025
    • Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth, Cumbria (dating back to 1874) has started brewing again. It was closed in November 2022 by the then owners Carlsberg Marston Brewing Company, but in February the site was bought by local couple Kust and Rebecca Canfield, who say they are delighted to keep the Brewery going. Their tap room is now selling Cumberland ales.
    • The Leader has been accepting nominations for best pub in Wrexham and Flintshire 2025. Voting is from 21 July to 1 August.
    • After 16 months of running the Ruthin Castle in Mold, they have now taken on the lease and reopened on Thursday the 17 July.
    • New owners of the Grade II listed Red Lion at Llanasa, which closed down five years ago, may soon reopen the pub if plans are approved. Originally a house built in the 19th century, it was converted into a pub between 1839/1871. It lies within the Llanasa Conservation Area, which is made up of 18 buildings of varying historical importance.
    • The Royal Oak between Holywell and Greenfield will reopen next week. The team behind the pub's reopening thanked residents for their "encouragement and support."
    • Polly's "Floret" has been ranked amongst UK best 50 best beers in the UK list for 2025, gaining 40th spot and ahead of well known beers like BrewDog's Punk IPA and Theakston's Old Peculier
    • The Three Pigeons in Graigfechan, Ruthin, had on Flintshire Bitter earlier this month.
    • Mold's Y Pentan has been shortlisted by Proper Pubs for Sales Performance Pub of the Year.
    • Facers are serving Abbey Blonde in the House of Commons' bar.
    • The Queens Market hub has opened in Rhyl and Bragdy Conwy Brewery has beers for sale both in their shop unit and on draft behind the bar.
    • The Royal Victoria pub in Prestatyn, now known as the White Lady (Admiral Taverns) has reopened under new ownership of Ali who has nearly 30 years of experience in the pub industry. The pub is aiming to be a lively community hub and according to the Rhyl Journal is serving "a range of real ales and lagers."
    • Theatre Clwyd is serving local cider, Hafod bottles and Polly’s will be serving keg beers.