Contact the Convenor: Ted Richards or if that fails email: hopsrus@cardiffu3a.org.uk
This is a beer appreciation group. Do you enjoy a good beer in good company? Would you like to learn more about beer? Or perhaps you are perplexed by the bewildering range of beers now on the market? Whichever, you’ll find something of interest in Hops R Us. The aim of the group is to explore the world of beer in all its variety and complexity, to learn how diverse styles and tastes are developed, and to foster the social atmosphere in which beer is best consumed. With micro-breweries turning out all types of beers, together with a legacy of historic pubs and new venues such as brewery bars and micropubs there’s never been a better time to get to know and savour the golden nectar! The group will visit pubs in Cardiff and elsewhere using public transport as well as hopefully arranging some brewery visits. Members pay individually for the beer they consume. Buying rounds is not permitted. Those attending are expected to be Cardiff u3a Members.
Our current thinking is to have one fixed meeting a month – on the fourth Thursday afternoon of the month. We could have a second meeting, on a floating day, say in the second week of the month. This would allow for people who are normally busy on Thursday afternoons. The idea will also be to visit pubs, not just in the centre of Cardiff, but also in the suburbs and places outside Cardiff.
The Grange – Feb 2026
This was the first trip out of the city centre for Hops R Us. Nothing too adventurous, just a 15 min walk or short bus hop to the Grange in Grangetown. The pub has won some CAMRA awards in recent years for their stirling efforts to keep real ale going in this corner of town. I was taken by a number of things; the cock fighting mural, the warm friendly welcome and the solid wooden tables.
There were two beers on hand-pump today; Wye Valley’s Butty Bach and M&S Pale from Goff’s Brewery in Gloucestershire. The former is a popular traditional bitter whereas the M&S Pale was going along the lines of a craft beer.
Pen & Wig – Feb 2026
For our third trip we visited the Pen & Wig at No.1 Park Grove, the sort of pub you have to know is there as it’s a bit hidden away but at the same time a real gem of place.
I did a bit of research and found it opened as a pub in 1994. Their website says that it previously used to be an opticians. I have discovered some other interesting previous occupants.
- In 1946 and for a few decades afterwards it was home of Telephone Rentals.
- In 1939 it was home of cinema organist Idris Thomas, originally from Bargoed. He moved to Cardiff when he was appointed organist at the Empire Theatre. Let the Wurlitzer music begin!
- In 1911 it was home of Richard John Hopkins who was the Solicitor and Superintendent registrar of births, deaths and marriages in Cardiff. Unfortunately his life came to a tragic end in 1924. But perhaps the most fascinating thing I discovered in my research was that Richard John Hopkins was the grandfather of one of Britain’s most prolific actors, Kenneth More.
There was a large number of cask ales on sale, well displayed with price and description.
About a dozen of us made the trip today but so excited was I about telling people about the Kenneth More connection I forgot to take a group photo.
Queens Vaults – Feb 2026
The ‘Hops R Us’ beer appreciation group recently visited the Queens Vaults in Westgate Street yesterday. The pub dates back to at least 1888. We know that because we found a newspaper report telling of an incident there where Robert Rawcastle told Amy Batt (25) to get off the table. She took affront and threw a glass of hot gin at him causing injury. At the court case his head was still covered in bandages apparently. Fortunately it was a lot more calmer when we visited and had six hand pump beers on sale which I think between us we managed to sample.
There were a range of six beers on hand pump from a range of breweries including £4.95 for a pint of Tudor Brewery Dragon Heart and then £2.50 for a Felinfoel Double Dragon which went up to £3.00 after 3pm.
I think we probably sampled them all between us and a few others. We saw the Guinness award they had been given. Was it the best Guinness in Wales? Good service from the bar staff. A great exterior to this pub and the interior is pretty good too.
Central Bar and the Flute & Tankard – 1st meeting – Jan 2026
We had a good turnout for the inaugural meeting of the ‘Hops R Us’ beer appreciation group. We met at the Central Bar on Windsor Place. After a few sips of ale some ideas for future venues started to flow.
One of the beers on offer was Smuggler (4.2% ABV) from Marlow’s Rebellion Brewery which the Good Beer Guide describes as ‘a red-brown beer, well-bodied and bitter with an unsurprisingly dry, bitter finish’. It received mixed reviews from the group.
Ten of us later headed across the road to the Flute and Tankard. What a gem of a place this is, serving a good selection of cask beers. Today they included Lakedown’s Sussex Pale (4.2%) and all the way from Huddersfield came Mallisons Porter (5%) which CAMRA describe as ‘Off Black in colour with light hedgerow fruits on the nose. Full bodied rich flavour with a hint of sweetness in the smooth finish’.
