BARRY Island IPA - a collaboration brew between Brains and Barry’s own international ale reviewer Simon Martin – has become the Welsh brewer’s best selling craft beer.

Dad-of-three Simon, known around the ale-loving world as You Tube beer reviewer ‘Real Ale Guide’, brewed the American-Style India Pale Ale with Brains early in 2012 in their small craft brewery plant.

After success in pubs and beer festivals, Barry Island IPA was brewed again in the main brewery at the end of last year and bottled for sale in a small number of Tesco stores nationwide. And this week it has gone on sale in all 450 Morrisons stores throughout the UK – making it Brains’ best selling craft beer.

"It's wonderful,” said Cadoxton resident Simon, 34.

“From having a meeting at Brains and seeing it brewed the once by a company I've been drinking beer from most of my life, they are now even selling it in Finland.

"It's unbelievable. I am over the moon."

Paul Harvey, Brains head of retail multiple groups, said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to our craft beer range from our larger grocery multiple customers.

“We’re able to offer the variety and taste profiles you would expect from a craft brewery operation, underpinned by the heritage, quality and consistency of the Brains brand.”

* Over the past three years Simon has become Europe’s largest craft beer reviewer on YouTube, having reviewed hundreds of beers from all over the world. To see his reviews visit www.youtube.com/realaleguide

You can also find Simon on Facebook (Real Ale Guide) and Twitter @RealAleToday

TASTING NOTES FROM BRAINS

Created by Simon Martin, aka Mr Real Ale Guide, this India Pale Ale was inspired by the ‘IPA revolution’ across the pond.

The boy from Barry has used a trio of hops from the US in this pale coloured ale, which is bursting with citrus aromas.

A unique smooth malt taste upfront is finished off by a vigorous bitterness and a ‘tidy’ clout of citrus and berry hop flavours.

* For a full list of stockists visit www.brainscraftbrewery.com/find-our-beer