It is the season for our annual Pub of the Year awards, celebrating the best pubs across our branch area. These awards recognise pubs that have consistently maintained the highest standards of welcome and beer quality over the whole of the past year. Why not pay a visit and see if you agree!

The National Tap, Aberdare has been voted CAMRA Mid Glamorgan Pub of the Year 2025. The taproom for award winning local brewery Grey Trees. Easy to find in the middle of Aberdare town centre, the Tap has recently been extensively refurbished and enlarged. The bar features the largest range of Grey Trees beers on sale anywhere, plus guest cask and craft beers. Great beers and very good value prices. We wish the Tap every success in the regional round of the competition and beyond.

Highly commended awards go to:

The Bunch of Grapes, Pontypridd. Highly acclaimed independent family owned pub, microbrewery and restaurant, with many awards for its food and drink. It is the showcase for Cwrw Otley beers brewed on site, plus several cask and craft guest beers. A great place to eat and drink, with separate menus for the restaurant and bar.

Fagins Craft Beer House and Art Café, Glan-y-Llyn. A friendly and welcoming pub in a traditional terrace just north of Taffs Well with a wide range of cask and craft beers available seven days a week. The efforts of hosts Anne and Simon Madley have made Fagins a popular destination over many years, and we wish them well as they approach their retirement.