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Hive’s honey drinks create a buzz
A delicious combination of natural ingredients, ethical beekeeping and bold flavour pairings, Hive Mind’s beverages are worthy of the current buzz that this is THE taste of the scorching summer of 2026. This Monmouthshire-based company are re-inventing honey-based drinks for a new generation.
And the word is obviously getting around. Hive Mind’s Honeyade can now boast a string of impressive stockists – National Trust Gift Shops, Panzers Deli, of London, the Globe Theatre, Broadway Deli in the Cotswolds and Gloucester Services are all offering a selection of Hive Mind’s sparkling meads and their alcohol-free Honeyades.
The meads include flavours such as Pure Honey, Honey & Elderflorwer, Honey & Rhubarb, and Honey & Ginger – all lightly sparkling, perfect for enjoying a summer’s evening in the garden and weighing in at a gentle 3.4 pe cent ABC which makes them an ideal warm weather tipple without being too macho.
Hive Mind’s ingredients – centred around a unique blend of honey and botanicals – make their drinks taste genuinely different. What better way to enjoy them ice-cold from the fridge, straight from the can or poured over ice in a tall glass?
And the Monmouthshire-based company’s Honeyades – light, fizzy and naturally sweet with an aftertaste not too cloying – are the perfect alcohol-free option for roasting hot afternoons.
Make no mistake, when it comes to summer drinks Hive Mind’s products are Wimbledon in a glass! Game, set and match.
Radnor Hills co-star with Disney
Soft drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills are continuing their collaboration with The Walt Disney Company and Pixar for the upcoming blockbuster summer release of Toy Story 5.
Specially branded 200ml Tetra Paks of Radnor Fruits feature new and iconic character designs from the film series including Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie and in flavours which include Apple, Forest Fruits and Orange.
The new on-pack promotion rolled out across the UK, ahead of the film’s release, with listings online and in-store across the UK in Morrisons, as well as in Ocado and a number of Co-op Societies. The range is being supported with advertising, sampling and a TikTok live event with giveaways.
The Radnor Fruits Disney Toy Story 5 range is packaged in lunch box-ready Tetra Pak cartons, made with a pull tab technology which means children can drink straight from the pack.
Chris Butler, Marketing Manager of Radnor Hills, said: “We’re thrilled to be continuing this exciting collaboration with the launch of Disney Toy Story 5 cartons of Radnor Fruits ahead of the film’s launch.
“There is a clear appetite from parents in grocery for character-inspired drinks that are ideally suited to the kids’ category.”
St Fagans Food Festival goes back to the future
St Fagans Food Festival will return on September 12-13 with an exciting line-up of food stalls, live music, and fun for all ages. Set in the historic grounds of St Fagans National Museum of History, the festival features over seventy food, drink and craft stalls.
From scrumptious street food to cakes, cheese and preserves, there’ll be plenty of delicious food to choose from. Vendors include Bao Selecta, Fire and Flank, Ice Green, Pettigrew Bakery, plus many more.
There will be a host of activities, from cookery demos to circus skills, in various locations across the museum.
Visitors can take a step back in time at some of the museum’s most iconic buildings as they discover what shopping was like in the 1920s or try their hand at butter making.
The National Vegetable Society Welsh Branch will be hosting their National Championship as part of the festival.
Castle Dairies mark 60 years of being butter than the rest
Castle Dairies are celebrating 60 years of butter-making with a new on-pack promotion, running until November 15. The giveaway offers shoppers the chance to win a luxury two-night stay at Llanerch Vineyard Hotel, near Caerphilly, as well as a range of additional prizes including branded butter dishes and butter knives.
To enter, shoppers can simply scan the QR code featured on the products stamped with the special 60th anniversary rosette, which can be found in major retailers across England and Wales.
Nigel Lloyd, Managing Director at Castle Dairies, said: “As a third-generation family-owned business, we are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone with both our team and our customers. This campaign highlights our heritage, quality and commitment to delicious Welsh butter.
“At Castle Dairies, we believe that quality comes from taking the time to do things properly. Our 60th anniversary is a celebration of the six decades of craftsmanship and dedication from our team, as well as the trust that our customers have placed in us over the years.
“As we look ahead, we're committed to continuing to invest in our products, our people, and our partnerships, while upholding our core values.”
Castle Dairies will be growing its customer reach with two new national listings in large Tesco stores which reflects the brand’s great success in Tesco Welsh Stores and offers another chance for shoppers to buy the much-loved Welsh brand in English Stores.
Wrexham Lager goes on the road
Wrexham Lager is pouring at the annual Royal Welsh Show on draught (July 20-23) in Builth Wells at the following six bars: The VP and Directors Bar, Pori, Charolais, Members Bar, Main Ring, Sheep Centre.
It is also the only lager pouring at the annual Green Man Festival (August 20-23) at the historic Glanusk Estate, near the small market town of Crickhowell, nestling in the Brecon Beacons National Park, in Powys.
Wrexham Lager will also be available at the 2026 National Eisteddfod at Llantwd, just outside Cardigan in north Pembrokeshire, celebrating the 850th anniversary of the very first recorded Eisteddfod in 1176, featuring over 1,000 events, live music, arts, and competitions celebrating Welsh language
and culture.
Brewing up a storm among Tesco shoppers
Welsh Brew is delighted to announce the launch of its new Luxury Drinking Chocolate and Instant Coffee ranges in Tesco stores across Wales, marking another significant milestone in the continued growth of the much-loved Welsh brand.
Best known for its iconic Welsh Brew Tea, the family-owned business has become a staple in homes across Wales, building a loyal customer base through its commitment to quality, authenticity, and products that are blended specifically to suit Welsh water.
The brand's continued success has been driven by strong consumer demand and a growing appetite for high-quality Welsh food and drink products.
Building on this success, Welsh Brew has expanded its portfolio to offer customers the same quality and great taste they have come to expect from the brand.
The new Luxury Drinking Chocolate delivers a rich, indulgent drinking experience, while the Instant Coffee range has been carefully developed to provide a smooth, full-flavoured cup for everyday enjoyment.
Fancy taking a trip to Abergavenny?
Abergavenny Food Festival returns on September 19-20 celebrating its 28th year as
Wales’ leading food festival with more than eighty events, 120 producers, 16 venues and a
programme packed with food, farming, ideas and community.
Set in the market town known as the gateway to Wales, it brings together the full breadth of the food world – makers, growers, chefs, authors, campaigners, farmers, producers and curious eaters – for a weekend unlike any other. What began in 1999 as a gathering of just 39 producers has grown into one of the UK’s most respected food festivals, welcoming more than 18,000 visitors each year and generating an estimated £2 million for the local economy over a single weekend.
Today, more than 80 per cent of traders are based in Wales or within two hours of Abergavenny, reflecting the festival's long-standing commitment to local food, sustainable farming and Welsh and borders food culture. More than three hundred local people are also employed during the festival weekend with this year's programme unfolding across 11 venues in the heart of Abergavenny.
“Food is the starting point,” says Festival Marketing & Communications Manager Meg
Griffiths. “What we actually create is a weekend of conversations, discoveries and
connections.”
On the Waterfront...
The Milford Waterfront Weekender takes place at Mackerel Quay from Friday, August 8 until Sunday, August 10. With free entry and a lively atmosphere guaranteed, this popular south-west Wales event is the perfect way to spend a summer weekend.
So why not enjoy a vibrant mix of street food from Pembrokeshire and south-west Wales, with something for every taste? Whether you’re after a quick bite or a full meal, you’ll find a wide range of mouth-watering options, all paired beautifully with drinks from a well-stocked bar.
But the experience doesn’t end with the food; live music will fill the air throughout the day, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the picturesque setting on the Milford Haven Waterway.
And a stellar line-up of local bands and musicians will be on hand to provide a vibrant soundtrack to your weekend, while an array of food stalls will feature great dishes crafted by top chefs, making this an event not to be missed.
Much-loved London venue brings best of Wales under one roof
For almost nine decades, the London Welsh Centre has been the home of Welsh culture, language and community in the heart of London. Ever since 1937 the Gray's Inn Road headquarters established by the Young Wales Association has been the focal point of promoting the Welsh language, literature, music, art and culture.
Today the London Welsh Centre is a registered charity and one of London's most vibrant cultural venues teaching Welsh language classes, hosting concerts, choirs, community groups and organisations and celebrating Welsh food, drink, music, literature, history and creativity – and next year celebrates its 90th anniversary.
The much-loved Welsh Autumn Market which returns on Saturday, October 10 promises to be one of the biggest and best yet. Over the years, the market has grown from a popular community event into a true celebration of Welsh culture, creativity, food, and friendship.
Every year it just keeps getting better with more traders, more visitors and even more brilliant atmosphere with the centre positively life from top to bottom. So once again this autumn the halls will be packed with talented makers, producers, artists, crafters and food – all bringing the best of Wales under one roof.
So whether you’re after unique gifts, tasty treats, handcrafted treasures or just a lovely day out, there will be something for everyone – and probably a Welsh cake or two calling your name!
New cheese company is on a roll
They may be the new kids on the block, but Usk Valley Cheese Company, a new family-run cheesemaker based in a micro-dairy in Cwmbran, have hit the ground running judging by their growing list of stockists – Pugh’s Food Hall (Abergavenny, Rogerstone, Radyr and Wenvoe), Four Seasons Farmshop, Saundersfoot, the Derwen Farmshop, Cashells of Crickhowell and The Cheese Shop, Nantwich, being among their latest champions.
The company craft award-winning cheeses celebrated for their quality and craftsmanship while at the same time seeking to ‘reconnect people with authentic, local, artisanal cheeses, rich in flavour and steeped in heritage’.
Using milk sourced from trusted regional dairy farmers, every wheel reflects the very best of the Usk Valley and the Cwmbran outfit won the support of Pugh’s after attending their food fair and enjoying ‘a really positive response from the public’ who sampled their range.
New campaign launched: ‘Naturally Local. Look for the Logo’
Customers across Wales this summer will see a new campaign encouraging them to choose branded PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef by looking for the distinctive brand logos when shopping.
The year-round campaign will showcase the quality, provenance and credentials of Welsh red meat through television, print and digital advertising. The activity aims to keep Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef front of mind with consumers throughout the year.
Both Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef have been brought together under a single campaign platform: ‘Naturally Local. Look for the Logo.’ The campaign highlights the connection between Welsh farming, local food production and the security given of Welsh provenance associated with PGI-certified products.
The campaign encourages shoppers to look for the brand logos as a trusted mark of authenticity, providing assurance that the Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef they are buying comes from animals born and reared in Wales. By looking for the logo, consumers can make an informed choice that supports local farmers, rural communities and Wales's world-class food industry.
The campaign, run by the red meat levy-body Hybu Cig Cymru under its new strategic action plan, marks the start of a sustained programme of activity designed to enhance customer awareness and celebrate the provenance of Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef.
Honouring the past, brewing for the future
Walk down St Mary’s Street in Cardiff and you’re walking through history. It was here, in 1882, that Samuel Arthur Brain first brewed the beer that would go on to define a city. More than 140 years later, Brains is still woven into the fabric of Cardiff and Wales, but rather than resting on its laurels, the brewery is embarking on one of its boldest chapters yet.
This spring and summer, Brains unveils its first complete brand refresh in seven years, the result of a partnership with Cardiff-based design studio Toward. Gone is anything that felt dated or overly corporate; in its place is a new logo, a redesigned website and refreshed packaging that manage to feel both fresh and unmistakably Brains. It’s not just cosmetic, either. Pubs across the UK are seeing real investment too, from bespoke cask handles to premium zinc pump clips, a sign that Brains still believes cask ale deserves pride of place at the bar.
“We wanted to honour the craftsmanship and heritage that have defined us for more than a century, while presenting a bold, modern identity that speaks to today’s drinkers,” says CEO Nick Payne, and it’s a sentiment that runs through everything the brewery is doing right now.
Perhaps the most exciting development, though, is happening back where it all began. Later this year, Brains teams up with Breaking Brands and Heineken to open The Old Brewery, right on the site where Brains was brewed from 1882 until 1999. Expect archival photography and artefacts sitting alongside motion-tracking sports games inspired by Welsh sporting greats, all wrapped up with sensory beer tastings and Welsh-inspired food. It’s part museum, part pub, part playground.
Add to that a new collaboration with Breaking Brands on Croeso Bar Cardiff at Central Square, and it’s clear Brains is positioning itself as something bigger than a brewery, a genuine ambassador for Welsh culture and hospitality.
What’s striking is how little of this feels like nostalgia for its own sake. Brains isn’t just protecting its past; it’s putting it to work, building something new on foundations that have stood for 140 years.
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