Tag Archives: Hotel
Good Dogs Welcome!
We love dogs at The Bear, but we are also well aware of the need for responsible dog ownership in the Brecon Beacons. Here’s a helpful article written by one of the National Park’s Ambassadors.
Real Ales at The Bear
On the guest pump, Gower Gold from the South Wales Coast. The brewers say: “t has refreshing citrus flavours and the lovely aroma of the cascade hops. Brewed since December 2011, this beer has become an all-round firm favourite. Gower Gold clocks in at 4.5% abv and is available all year round.” We say “delicious”. #gowergold #realale #thirstquenching
SPRING LAMB SPECIAL AT THE BEAR
Spring Lamb is a traditional dish for Easter – but chances are, you won’t have tasted anything like the lamb coming to the Specials Menu at The Bear at Crickhowell.
Our Head Chef, Padrig Jones, loves finding the very best, locally sourced, Welsh ingredients for seasonal specials and he’s been out on the farm to source Pedigree Black Welsh Mountain Lamb for Easter.
They are one of Wales’ oldest rare breeds and are bred by John and Hillary Garn from prize-winning stock at Upper House Farm near Monmouth, about 20 miles from The Bear.

Padrig went to visit the farm to check the condition of the lambs and how they have been bred. He said: “It’s incredibly important to me to know where the food I am serving comes from. These lambs have not been reared intensively. They have been grazing on meadows, eating the herbs and flowers in the borders which will add to the flavour and they have been outside, so they have been able to exercise. The meat will be a bit leaner than other lamb but still very tender because the muscles have been working.”
“I have tasted lamb in different countries around the World. I have had lamb from the Pyrenees, which is absolutely incredible, but Welsh lamb is fabulous. And people want to try local produce when they visit The Bear and you don’t get much more local than this.”
The flock at Upper House Farm are bred primarily for showing. The prize winners are kept or sold to other farmers to preserve the breed, and the rest are sold for meat.
But you won’t find this lamb on a butcher’s counter. Hillary said: “The meat is slightly darker than the lamb you see in supermarkets and therefore what consumers are used to. But it has a much better flavour, so we sell direct to hotels and restaurants who know how best to prepare the dishes. The chef’s love it and they say their costumers do, too.”
The lamb will be butchered to order by Richards Butchers, just across the road from The Bear and will be available during the Easter Holidays.
“It will be prepared simply, but beautifully,” Padrig said, “this flavour needs to speak for itself and I want to do justice to the lambs that John and Hillary lovingly breed.”

WIN A FREE NIGHT AT THE BEAR
Enter our competition with The Great Inns of Britain, to win a free night B+B at The Bear.
Follow this link to find out more.
Valentine’s Menu
If great food is the way to your Valentine’s Heart, then head for The Bear! Our Valentine’s Specials Menu is full of the food of love – sharing dishes, foods to give him or her ‘that loving feeling’. The Menu is available from Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th of February. Call 01873810408
#valentines #crickhowell #foodoflove CRiC The Great Inns of Britain Welsh Rarebits Collection

New Gin Menu
We’ve launched a new Gin Menu at The Bear. Come and sample 30 Gins from across the World. We have herbal, organic and aromatic Gin and a full range of Fever Tree Tonic Waters. Try one, or two …
#weekend #gin #relax #crickhowell

WINTER COLOUR AT THE BEAR
It may be wintry, but there’s still plenty of winter colour in The Bear’s gardens… flowers, just ahead of Valentine’s Day. Our Valentine’s menu is coming soon.
CRICKHOWELL WALKING FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE
Crickhowell Walking Festival
9th to 17th March 2019
Nine days of fabulous guided walks in and around the Black Mountains situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Mid-Wales. Follow the link below to book walks and events