Rhymney Brewery Visitor Centre, Blaenavon

Smart purpose built brewery and visitor centre close to the main entrance to Big Pit Mining Museum. After paying a modest entrance fee, climb the stairs from the entrance foyer up to a gallery that overlooks the brewing operation, an interpretation board explains which piece of brewing kit you are looking at. Then take a stroll around to read the origins and growth of the first Rhymney Brewery which runs parallel with the growth of the great industries of the south Wales valleys. History lesson over, you emerge into an area where you can take a look at ingredients and artefacts from the brewing industry, before stepping into the brewery shop with an attractive range of souvenirs and ales on sale to mark the occasion of your visit. Then the Dog & Duck beckons where you may exchange your visitor token for a drink, and stay for more if you wish. Here you are within sight of the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway where on operating days you can watch the heritage steam and diesel trains pass by on their way to and from the restored Blaenavon High Level station. This area is steeped in the heritage of the industrial revolution and a nice way to round off your visit is this brewery visitor centre.