Thursday 12th May was not only Mass observation day which I took part in but also a fantastic beer launch hosted by Gwdihŵ café bar in Cardiff.
Gwdihŵ café bar is a quaint little bar which has a unique boho chic feel about it, the bar area itself is small but adequate and the staff are friendly, generally young and fairly trendy looking, it’s all very comfy and the DJ booth is fab and well placed. There is a lovely beer garden, consisting of what look like old sofas and chairs, along with mini barrels to be used as stools or side tables. Part of the beer garden is undercover as well and quite sheltered giving it a lovely homely feel.
The evening started with my fabulous friend Erika getting us free tickets to the event entitling us to a free sample of the beer Kozel. Kozel is the Czech word for goat and of course is a Czech beer; Gwdihŵ is one of the first places to be serving it. Kozel is what I would call a Lager Beer, a bit like Budweiser but slightly more refreshing and a bit less hop to the taste, but not a lager taste like in the form of Carling or Fosters, much nicer (however I am biased as I don’t like lager). It is also served in funky glasses.
We took a short train ride into Cardiff central from Bridgend and headed over. On arrival we were greeted by a lovely lady at the door who checked our names off the list gave us out raffle tickets for the free beer sample and also a card with a goat on it which you could pop different body parts out of and it would tell you something about the beer. Sounds a bit weird but fun nonetheless.
Erika and I were a bit disappointed that you didn’t give in parts of the goat from the card for your free beer samples, we though this might have been a better use of the cards, but then they were littered all over the bar so people would have been getting more than their fair share. We were also hoping for some cheesy freebies like badges, key rings or t-shirts, instead we had to be satisfied with the piece of cardboard. Are we old school in expecting a bit more? I remember going to the Bud Bar in Bridgend (now Sam’s Bar) and getting a free flashing bud badge in the shape and design of its bottle tops, or Flares and O’Neills where you get badges. Still there is a recession on I suppose.
We wandered out into the beer garden as it was still quite light and sunny, we were offered lovely little potato rosti type snacks that were being freshly cooked outside, these were very moreish and we had a few throughout the evening. We enjoyed the atmosphere and people watching as well as the beer until it started getting a bit chilly and we headed in doors. More people were arriving and the place was filling up. I am pleased to say that there was a very eclectic mix of people ranging in all ages so no-one felt out of place or like they didn’t belong so all are welcome. It was a bit scary and frightening to see a few women there dressing a bit young for their age, everything in its place I think, and not necessarily donning mini skirts either, but…. Just… I am not sure, hard to describe really. I suppose I should say “good for them”, but I can be a bit of a snob.
There was a band playing that evening which I have to say I really enjoyed and they were very talented, and also fun, making people want to get up and dance and enjoy themselves. The original band that was meant to play couldn’t make it due to illness so Mae LLai Yn Fwy stepped up to the mark and were brilliant.
We had a right giggle sipping away at our beers (of course we bought some more after drinking our free sample) people watching and making Goat jokes to one an other, of course they’re the kind of ones that are only funny at the time and in the moment, so won’t be repeated.
On the train home we spread the word about Gwdihŵ and Kozel to an American we got chatting to who was on his way to Swansea. Unfortunately although he wanted to visit a real pub whilst in the UK he didn’t drink, however he could have a coffee at Gwdihŵ instead which are also lovely and some food. We shall definitely be returning soon, a great venue, a great night and a great beer.
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Pascal (Gwdihŵ)