A Barry bar has been named the UK's Best Independent Craft Beer Bar (City) after beating off competition from venues in Liverpool, Birmingham and London. Craft Republic in Barry is an independent craft beer, wine, and spirits bar.
Run by Claire qand Tim Whalley, it is part of GoodSheds, the independent sustainable urban high street in Barry where new trader Tasty Peninsula recently opened. They opened Craft Republic in 2020 after giving up their corporate jobs as they wanted to create a bar where people could try all different types of craft beer without having to travel or go to beer festivals.
Opening in 2020 meant they had to deal with all the highs and the lows of the pandemic, where at times they had to operate as a shop rather than a bar, and they still have an in-store shop and online shop now. Craft Republic also offers its own house gin and rum, the Barry Island Gin and Barry Island Rum, which is inspired by the Barry Island setting and area.
READ MORE: 'World first' zero-carbon brewery set to open in Wales
The latest accolade from the SIBA business awards is not the only award the bar has been nominated for as in 2021 it was a finalist in two categories - Best Bar and Best Retailer - in the Cardiff Life Awards. Talking about winning Best Independent Craft Beer Bar (City), Claire explained how proud they were to be bringing the award to South Wales.
"We're incredibly proud to be named the UK's Best Independent Craft Beer Bar (City) by SIBA. Winning this award is wonderful recognition for all the hard work that we and our fantastic team put into Craft Republic. We were up against bars in Liverpool, Birmingham, and London so to be bringing the title to South Wales is fantastic."
Other local independent restaurants, businesses, and bars congratulated Craft Republic when they posted the news to their Instagram. The Shed, also in Barry, commented: "Amazing news and so well deserved!!!!". Craft Republic was up against Dead Crafty Beer Co. in Liverpool, The Colmore in Birmingham, and The Pembury Tavern in East London to win the award.
To get the latest What's On newsletters from WalesOnline, click here
