Cleddau Brewing Opens Milford Haven Taproom After Just Seven Months
4th November 2026 | Beer News | Welsh Breweries
A father-and-son brewery from Pembrokeshire is preparing to open its first dedicated taproom and bottle shop, just seven months after launching its first beer.
Cleddau Brewing Co, founded by Rhys Jones and Brandan Thomas, will officially open its new venue at Milford Haven Waterfront on Saturday 14th November 2026.
It's another significant milestone for the young Welsh brewery, which has already expanded production, secured national retail distribution and showcased its beers at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.
I've been following Cleddau Brewing's progress for a while, having previously featured the brewery in an unboxing video and reviewed two versions of its Langum Lager.
And those beers certainly made an impression.
I've Already Put Cleddau's HI and LO Beers to the Test
One of the things that originally caught my attention about Cleddau Brewing was its distinctive HI and LO beer range.
Rather than simply producing beers at conventional strengths, Cleddau offers higher and lower-strength versions, giving customers more choice over how much alcohol they consume.
It's an interesting approach, particularly as more drinkers look for lower-strength options without wanting to compromise on flavour.
I previously featured Cleddau Brewing in an unboxing video, introducing the brewery and its beers to viewers of The Hopper Reviews.
I then put two versions of its Langum Lager to the test.
Langum Lager HI vs LO: 5% Against 2.9%
The comparison featured:
Langum Lager HI: 5.0% ABV
Langum Lager LO: 2.9% ABV
Despite the difference in alcohol strength, I was genuinely surprised by how closely the two beers compared.
In fact, I awarded both beers 9.5/10.
I couldn't detect a difference in taste between them, which is particularly impressive considering the LO version contains considerably less alcohol.
For me, that was a strong demonstration of what Cleddau is trying to achieve with its HI and LO concept.
Lower-strength beer doesn't necessarily have to mean lower enjoyment.
Watch my Langum Lager HI vs LO review:
A New Taproom at Milford Haven Waterfront
The brewery's next chapter begins on Saturday 14th November, when its new taproom and bottle shop opens at Milford Haven Waterfront.
Visitors will be able to enjoy Cleddau beers on draught, including seasonal releases and limited editions.
The range is expected to include lagers, IPAs and red ales, with the brewery's HI and LO concept featuring prominently.
For those who fancy something different, the venue will also offer wine, soft drinks and a selection of Pembrokeshire spirits.
A dedicated bottle shop will allow customers to purchase beers to enjoy at home.
The taproom is initially expected to open Wednesday to Sunday, with closing times of 10pm. Exact daily opening hours should be checked through the brewery's official channels.
The waterfront location is particularly appropriate because the brewery takes its name from the River Cleddau.
From Pembroke Dock to Hong Kong in Seven Months
Since launching its first beer earlier this year, the family-run business has expanded production, secured national retail distribution and exhibited at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.
That's considerable progress for a brewery that's only been operating for seven months.
Opening a dedicated taproom is another ambitious move, particularly when independent breweries across the UK are facing rising operating costs and challenging trading conditions.
A taproom offers the opportunity to sell beer directly to customers, introduce new products and develop stronger relationships with the local community.
For Cleddau, it also provides a permanent destination where visitors can discover the beers and meet the people producing them.
Supporting the River Cleddau
There's another aspect of Cleddau Brewing that deserves recognition.
Through its Cleddau Contribution initiative, the brewery invests a portion of every sale into improving the River Cleddau.
It's a commitment that connects the business directly to the area that inspired its name.
Opening a taproom overlooking Milford Haven Waterfront brings that connection into focus.
For a young brewery, building an identity around its local community and environment is an interesting approach, and one that deserves recognition.
I've Also Spoken to Cleddau About the Welsh Deposit Return Scheme
As part of my ongoing investigation into the Welsh Deposit Return Scheme, which is scheduled to launch in October 2027, I've also interviewed Cleddau Brewing co-founder Rhys Jones.
The interview explored what the proposed scheme could mean for a relatively new independent brewery, including concerns surrounding packaging requirements, labelling and the potential costs of compliance.
It's an important subject for Welsh breweries, particularly those expanding production and distribution.
Rhys's perspective provides an insight into how a young business is preparing for regulatory changes while trying to establish itself in an already competitive market.
My Thoughts on Cleddau's Expansion
It's encouraging to see positive news from the Welsh brewing industry.
With so many stories about brewery closures, financial pressures and difficult trading conditions, seeing a young independent brewery investing in its future is welcome.
I've already been impressed by Cleddau's beers, particularly the Langum Lager HI and LO comparison, where both versions earned 9.5/10.
The brewery's approach to offering different strengths is something I'd like to see more producers explore.
And with national distribution, international exposure and now a dedicated waterfront taproom, Cleddau certainly isn't wasting any time.
Of course, opening a taproom is only the beginning. Building a sustainable business and attracting regular customers will be the real challenge.
But it's a promising development for independent Welsh brewing.
Congratulations to Rhys, Brandan and everyone involved at Cleddau Brewing Co. I wish you every success with the opening on 14th November.
Find out more about Cleddau Brewing Co:
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