Latest Simon Buckley column from the Journal

The latest Simon Buckley 'Iechyd Da' column from the Carmarthen Journal -
Diolch Santa!
If Father Christmas were to bring me a very special present this Christmas, it would be a selection of the very best of Welsh bottled beers , some mature Cenarth Cheese , and chutneys made by my dear friend ‘Chutney Jeff’ in Llandeilo.
Christmas comes for us brewers after what should be four of the busiest weeks of the year. Well, that certainly was the case before the supermarkets high jacked Christmas.
If you want to buy gallons of English beer, brewed using additives, preservatives and sugars, then, fine, descend to your supermarkets and buy the 10 bottles of national-branded coloured liquid for nothing . . .
And then sit in misery while you drink it. Flavourless, and lacking the care and skill of your local brewers, and the dedication they show to the great art of brewing.
Enough humbug; I’m here to help you find the best five beers in Wales, and to make sure that you look beyond the national store chains and find those bottles that will leave you thinking that Christmas is really a very special time of the year.
For those of you who know me, don’t be surprised by what’s coming!
This all-Wales line-up reflects well-made beers from a varied selection of brewers. They have been picked because of their availability and because (put simply) they are good. There are others if you look.
So here we go, the Simon Buckley best five beers from Wales (and modesty prevents me putting any of mine in the frame) -
One of my five is Rhymney Export, at 5.0%, a delicious premium beer to be drunk slightly chilled, and will either drink well on its own or with a rich plate of cold meats.
As a pick me up, and one of the strongest of the five is Brains SA Gold, a crisp premium Golden beer, which at 4.7% gives a full mouth feel, and is one of the best brewed beers on the list.
So as not to be accused of being partisan to the south, a great beer from North Wales is Conwy Welsh Pride at 4.0%, read the label before pouring.
Two others are Brecon Brewery Golden Valley (crisp and inviting and from the Buster Grant stable) and Reverend James, named after another brewing Buckley!
By no means an exclusive list, but you won’t be disappointed or let down. If you fancy some Llandeilo beers, then there are two award winners waiting for you.
If the gentle fizz of modern bottled beer is not for you , go to your local brewery, and buy a polypin of the Champagne of Ales, real cask conditioned beer.
Have it in your kitchen and at around a pound a pint you will be the most visited house in the neighbourhood.
Nadolig Llawen, and lots of Festive beer drinking.