This article was written by leading food and travel journalist, Angela Youngman.

Welsh beer is appearing in more and more Co-Op stores across Wales.  It has announced plans to stock an additional  23 ales within 80 of its Welsh outlets.

Deals have been secured with eleven specialist small breweries and microbreweries. Among those companies now being stocked in the Co-Op is the Llantrisant based Glamorgan Brewing Co, which will supply approximately 50,000 pints of ale per year to stores across the country and the Gower Brewery from Swansea. Dave Campbell, head brewer at Gower Brewery comments;

“It will create new opportunities, opening up new markets and buiklding a wider customer base for our beers which will support the continued growth and development of our brewery.”

Other brewers set to appear in Welsh Co-Op stores are Boss Brewing in Llansamlet,  Llandudno based Great Orme Brewery, Castles Brewery in Caldicot, Evan Evans Brewery in Llandeilo, Felinfoel Brewery in Llanelli, Monoty’s Brewery in Mongomery, Bridgend-based Cold Black Label and Newport based Tiny Rebel.

Simon Dryell, ranging manager for the Co-op in Wales says,

“It’s exciting to collaborate with smaller breweries. The quality, passion and innovation of smaller producers and family-run enterprises makes these prized local products and we are delighted to give them pride of place in our stores.”

“We know that the provenance of food and drink really matters to our customers, we are committed to investing in the Welsh economy and providing new opportunities to showcase and celebrate Wale’s fantastic local food and drink producers.”