A tribute to the true taste of Wales: Brains SA (‘Skull Attack’)

Seeing as it’s St David’s Day today, it seems appropriate to pay tribute to the Welsh Drink Of The Gods, otherwise known as Brains SA.

Brewed in Cardiff and known locally as ‘Skull Attack,’ this tasty ale has been responsible for many a hangover of mine over many years.

I brought back some bottles of SA from my last visit to the Principality. They won’t be around for much longer today 🙂

Brains introduced SA Best Bitter in the mid 1950s, and it’s a copper coloured brew with a nutty richness that goes down a little too easily.

According to the Brains website, the taste is derived from a blend of fine pale and crystal malts and the unique use of three hops: Challenger, Goldings and Fuggles.

The original Brains SA is 4.2% ABV (it somehow seems stronger when you’re on a session!), with the slightly stronger SA Gold being launched in 2006.

The 4.3% ABV SA Gold ale is a full-flavoured, hoppy and refreshing golden ale and ca be found in pubs throughout the UK.

Here’s where you can currently find the ale on tap in London:

London

Argyll Arms, 18 Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TP

Bear & Staff, 10-12 Bear Street, London, WC2H 7AX

Bree Louise, 69 Cobourg St, London, NW1 2HH

Bucks Head, 202 Camden High Street, Camden, London, NW1 8QR

Clachan, 34 Kingly Street, London, W1B 5QH

Comedy, 7 Oxendon Street, Piccadilly, London, SW1Y 4EE

Duke Of Wellington, 77 Wardour Street, Soho, London, W1D 66A

Falcon, 2 St. Johns Hill, London, SW11 1RU

Famous Three Kings, 171 North End Road, Fulham, London, W14 9NL

Fox & Firkin, 316 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, London, SE13 6JZ

George Staples, Blackfen Road, Sidcup, London, DA15 8PR

Globe, 83 Moorgate, London, EC2M 6SA

Henry Addington, 22-28 Mackenzie Walk, London, E14 4PH

Hole In The Wall, 5 Mepham St, London, SE1 8SQ

Hop Poles, 17 – 19 King Street, Hammersmith, London, W6 9HR

King Charles I, 55-57 Northdown St, London, N1 9BL

Kings Arms, 23 Poland Street, Oxford Street, London, W1F 8QJ

London Welsh Club, 157-163 Grays Inn Rd, London, WC1X 8UE

Magpie, 12 New Street, London, EC2M 4TP

Marquis Of Granby, 41 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF

Old Bell, 95 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1DH

Old Thameside, Pickfords Wharf, London, SE1 9DG

Paxton, 52 Anerley Road, London, SE19 2AE

Pricess Of Wales, Villiers St, London, WC2N

Queen’S Head, 25 Tryon Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 3LG

St James Tavern, 45 Great Windmill Street, Piccadilly, , London, W1V 7PA

Steam Passage, 44/45 Upper Street, London, N1 0PN

White Horse, 16 Newburgh Street, London, W1F 7RY

Ye Olde Watling, 29 Watling Street, London, EC4M 9BR

Find UK pubs stocking SA Gold here

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