A BARRY dad, who has gained a reputation for being one of the world’s most popular online real ale reviewers, has taken a Scandinavian direction.

Dad-of-three Simon Martin, known as the Real Ale Guide to YouTube viewers and craft beer fans world-wide, visited Norway to brew two beers which will go on sale commercially.

His concoctions, with Lysefjorden Mikrobryggeri, are a double IPA called Hoppy Simon and a Berliner Weisse called Sour Simon.

Mr Martin, of Cadoxton, has previously been honoured with a Browar Pinta Imperial Irish Red Ale called, simply, Call Me Simon and also teamed up with Cardiff-based Brains Brewery to create the Barry Island IPA.

The former Royal Hotel barman, which was based in Cadoxton, said: “Thursday July 28 was the main day where we brewed the beer. We were met by Visit Norway who followed the brewers and myself around for two days for photos, videos and voiceovers which will now go on their website. I was also interviewed by Norway's leading beer blogger who has just released this piece: http://godtiglasset.com/2016/08/02/cheers-and-stone-the-crows/”

He added: The Youtube site is growing so fast now with over 100,000 views per month and a total of 2.6 million views. My target for the end of 2016 is 3.1 million total views.”

Visit www.youtube.com/realaleguide