01/06/2026
What an amazing write up.
đș Cleddau Brewing Co: Pembrokeshireâs New Brewery With a Brilliant HI and LO Twist
There is something rather special brewing down at Pembroke Dock, and yes, before anyone starts, we do mean actual beer.
Cleddau Brewing Co is one of Pembrokeshireâs newest independent breweries, and it has arrived with a cracking idea, a strong local identity, and a range of beers that deserves attention well beyond the county line.
Based at Pembroke Dock, the brewery takes its name from the mighty Cleddau, the river that runs through the heart of Pembrokeshire life. It is a name that immediately plants the business in the countyâs soil, or perhaps more accurately, its water. This is not a faceless beer brand trying to look local with a dragon sticker and a font called âWelsh-ishâ. Cleddau Brewing Co feels properly rooted here.
The brewery was founded by father and son Rhys and Brandan, bringing together local pride, brewing knowledge and a very clever product idea: one recipe, two beers.
And this is where things get really interesting.
Cleddau Brewing Co produces beers in paired versions: HI and LO.
đș HI is the fuller-strength version. Bigger body, bigger hit, full-flavoured and made for those moments when only a proper pint will do.
đș LO is the lower-strength version. Still full of character, still brewed with care, but lighter in alcohol for those times when you want flavour without going full âIâll just have one moreâ and suddenly becoming best friends with a lamppost.
That is the magic of it. You are not choosing between âreal beerâ and âthe sensible optionâ. You are choosing the same beer idea, brewed two ways, for different moments.
It is simple. It is smart. And it works.
Their Cleddau Red is already showing what the brewery is all about. The HI version comes in at 5.0% ABV and delivers a rich, malt-led red ale with caramel notes, traditional hops and a smooth finish. It is the sort of beer that feels like it should be enjoyed slowly, preferably somewhere with a decent view and no one talking about parking charges.
Then there is Cleddau Red LO, at 2.2% ABV, which keeps that malt character and easy-drinking balance, but at a lighter strength. That makes it ideal for people who want a proper beer taste without committing to a stronger pint every time.
And that choice matters.
Not everyone wants high-strength beer all the time. Some people are driving and a LO with a meal is required... Some are pacing themselves. Some are trying to be a bit more mindful. Some just want a great-tasting beer on a school night without waking up feeling like they argued with a tractor, and lost.
Cleddau Brewing Co seems to understand that perfectly.
The range does not stop there either. The brewery has more beers on the way, including **Langum Lager**, a crisp rice lager, along with **Cleddau West**, a West Coast IPA, and **Cleddau East**, an East Coast hazy pale. Each follows the same HI and LO approach, giving drinkers proper choice without making things complicated.
That point of difference is what makes Cleddau Brewing Co stand out. In a crowded craft beer market, where some cans look like they were designed during a sugar rush in a stationery shop, Cleddau has gone for something cleaner, clearer and genuinely useful.
One beer idea. Two strengths. More choice.
It is also refreshing to see a brewery put lower-strength beer right at the centre of its range, rather than treating it like a sad little afterthought shoved on the bottom shelf next to the dusty mixers. The LO beers are not there as an apology. They are part of the main event.
That is a very modern way to think about beer, and it feels right for Pembrokeshire. We are a county of beaches, boats, walking trails, campsites, pubs, food festivals, local produce and people who enjoy a decent drink without always needing to overdo it. Cleddau Brewing Co fits neatly into that world.
There is also a wider local story here. The breweryâs "Brewed to Give Back" idea links the business back to the River Cleddau, with a commitment to set aside contributions from releases to support practical local work connected to the river and its environment.
Beer with a sense of place is good. Beer with a sense of purpose is even better.
For pubs, restaurants, shops and local venues, Cleddau Brewing Co offers something easy to explain and easy to get behind. Stock the HI for those wanting the fuller-strength experience. Stock the LO for those looking for flavour at a lighter strength. Better still, stock both and let people choose.
For drinkers, it gives you a reason to try the range properly. Start with the Red. Compare the HI and LO. See how the same idea changes at different strengths. Pretend you are doing serious research. We fully support this level of academic commitment. đș
Cleddau Brewing Co may be new, but it already feels like one to watch. It has a strong Pembrokeshire name, a clever brewing concept, a growing range, and that all-important thing that cannot be faked: a proper local heartbeat.
So if you see Cleddau Brewing Co on a bar, in a shop, at an event, or online, give it a go.
Support local. Drink better. Choose HI, choose LO, or do the only sensible thing and try both.
Purely for research, obviously. đ»
Follow them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584499123880 and see the full range.
Donât drink if youâre not of legal age and before youâre 25. Give your brain time to develop before you drink alcohol. Youâll have developed stronger decision-making skills and save yourself from some hard lessons. Never drink and drive. Take a lift, taxi or other rideshare service home if youâre out and planning on drinking. Call your mom if you need. Sheâs probably up and would like to hear from you anyway. Drinking excessively will cause harm to your body and mind. Please drink mindfully. Seek help from a professional if you have a problem, or if you think you might have one. https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
