Samuel Arthur Brain and his uncle had big plans. They purchased land next to the brewery at a cost of £50,000 - equivalent to over £5 million today! This significant investment allowed the brewery to increase its capacity to 50,000 barrels, and included a cellar capable of storing 5,000 casks of ale.

Trade was busy and Brains commissioned the build of The New Brewery in Roath which was completed in 1914 to complement production at The Old Brewery. It was a tough few years though given the proposed ban of alcohol in 1916 and the company openly spoke out saying: “They have the effrontery to suggest that all men and women must be compelled to drink water. This is an insult to a hard-working, law-abiding, sober country.” Brains continued to push forwards.

Originally nicknamed and then officially renamed Dark, our Red Dragon was the go-to drink for Cardiffians. Today, the Red Dragon sits proudly as our trade mark in logos, and signage.

Thanks to the merger between Crown Buckley and Brains, the Pontyclun and Llanelli-based brewery joined the Brains family. This move truly cemented us as the leading Welsh brewer. As a consequence of the merger, The Rev. James joined the Brains portfolio of beers. Did you know The Rev. James is named after The Reverend James Buckley, who took over the Llanelli Brewery in 1824 from his father-in-law, Henry Child?

Thanks to significant increase in demand for our beers, Brains outgrew The Old Brewery, so the team bought The Cardiff Brewery in Crawshay Street and moved in. There the full portfolio of Brains brands was able to be brewed, together with significant contract brewing for other breweries. Brains Old Brewery is now known as the Brewery Quarter, which is home to a wide range of bars and restaurants.

Brains Craft Brewery was launched within the Crawshay Street brewery. The brewing team were now able to brew in smaller batches, and were given the freedom to experiment with more adventurous recipes. Over 100 different beers have been brewed since 2012, including our flagship, permanently available craft beer, Barry Island IPA, which was originally brewed in collaboration with beer writer Simon Martin, aka Mr Real Ale Guide.

By this time, Brains was operating over 160 pubs in a variety of different trading styles, and food had become even more important with it accounting for well over a third of sales within the managed estate. Award winning by nature, Brains enjoyed many successes, but one accolade stood out above the rest, and that was being recognised as Best Managed Pub Company, and Best Food Offer within the prestigious Publican Awards in 2013.

Following a thorough strategic rebranding project with fellow Cardiff-based creative agency Toward, our brand new look and feel for Brains was born. Onwards and upwards!