Tributes have been paid to a real ale pioneer who had only just finished his first brew at a new brewery in Swansea. Rory Gowland was due to play with his band at The Railway Inn, Killay, to mark the occasion on the day he died.
He had moved the brewery from The Joiners Arms, Bishopston, to a new facility on the former platform area of The Railway, which is owned by Swansea Council. The 65-year-old had a PhD in chemistry and used to work at Swansea University before setting up Swansea Brewing Company 26 years ago - a time when drinkers had far fewer real ale or craft beer options compared to today.
"He was a lot of fun to be around," said Alan Watkins, treasurer of Swansea Camra (Campaign for Real Ale). "He was very kind, very gentle and very generous with his time and expertise."
