The Goat Major

"The name is taken from the Mascot of the Royal 41st regiment of Wales. They carried a live goat on the Russian front line in the Crimean War. The goat survived the War [ed note - and thank god. There were pics of said goat in the pub] and was introduced to Queen Victoria back in England. Originally simply called the Goat, the pub was renamed the Bluebell in1813, and finally the Goat Major in 1995. Until fairly recently, upstairs was open as a bar. The pub offers a range of Goat Major memorabilia. Probably early Victorian, it was refurbished in 2003. This famous traditional pub is fitted all around with rich dark panelling, with black leather sofas and seats. The floor has been retiled in keeping with the pub age. Every Wednesday is a Welsh night, emphasising the pro-Welsh nature of this friendly and welcoming pub. Featured in the Camra beer guide, and in a good foodguide, the pub offers a variety of food, including a Welsh menu."

So the local brew is called Brains. The brewery, Brains (pic below, giant silver brewworks obscured by train station). I had the Dark, which was excellent, and the Ale, which was good, but not as smooth as the Dark.

Here's the local pub guide I found: http://www.cardiffpubs.co.uk/. The nearest pub is only from 1988, so clearly not my caliber. Goat Major was fun. I'll try to do The Rummer mid-week, since they were closing early today (it's a bank holiday).

I should add that another nearby pub is called The Maindy, but is in total disrepair and undergoing renovation. I was pleased to read the following, then, from the pub guide. As I walk past The Maindy to go to the local Tesco, I'll keep an eye out for the ghosts. I assume they hate disco and are trying to interfere w/ the renovations: "Always called the Maindy, to the rear was the Star and Anchor coke works, turning coal dust into coke and briquettes. Apparently, whenever they redecorate, 2 ghosts appear, playing cards."