Brains Brewery has partnered with Welsh pub operator Breaking Brands to launch an immersive beer experience at its former Cardiff city centre home, bringing brewing back to the historic site more than two decades after production moved elsewhere.

The new venue, The Old Brewery, is located in Cardiff’s brewery quarter on St Mary’s Street and occupies the former Ballie Ballerson site.

The project is a collaboration between Brains Brewery, brewing giant Heineken and Breaking Brands director Steve Lewis.

Brains operated from the site between 1882 and 1999 before the area was redeveloped into a leisure complex.

The new venue aims to celebrate the brewery’s heritage while creating a modern visitor attraction focused on beer, sport and Welsh culture.

Designed as an immersive experience, The Old Brewery will feature interactive storytelling spaces tracing the history of Brains from its founding in the 19th century through to the present day.

Visitors will also be able to take part in guided beer tastings, sensory experiences and explore archival photography and memorabilia linked to Cardiff’s brewing past.

The venue will also introduce interactive sporting games to Cardiff, using motion-tracking and smart-net technology to recreate key match-day moments and allow customers to test their rugby and football skills.

Alongside its entertainment offering, The Old Brewery will serve Welsh-inspired food and drink menus featuring local suppliers and provide event and community spaces available for hire by local organisations.

“This collaboration feels really special to us at Brains as it feels like we’re coming home,” Nick Payne, Managing Director at Brains Brewery, said.

“When Steve approached us with the idea for this venue, we jumped at the chance.

“We are very proud of our Cardiff roots, our heritage and how we are still brewing in the city, more than 140 years later.”

“I can’t wait to have my first pint of SA pulled from the pumps at The Old Brewery and immerse myself in the art and artefacts we have gathered to celebrate our brewery and our city.”

The launch represents the latest investment in Cardiff’s hospitality sector and reflects growing demand for experience-led venues that combine food, drink and entertainment.

“This site has meant something to Cardiff for decades,” Steve Lewis of Breaking Brands added. “Bringing Brains back to the heart of the city just feels right.

“We believe that Cardiff needs a venue like this, a place with history, energy and purpose, and we are very excited to be the ones bringing it to life.”

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.