Prince William says he ‘shan’t neck the whole lot’ after pulling a cold one

Prince William prepared for today’s big rugby game like thousands of Welsh fans – by sipping a pint of the famous Brains.

William pulled a pint of the iconic ale himself as he opened the new Brains Brewery in Cardiff.

After pouring the drink and taking a sip, the duke joked: ‘I shan’t neck the whole lot.’

William was given a tour of the new Dragon Brewery, where he met staff working on the production line.

Head brewer Bill Dobson explained the production process to the royal as he showed him around the new multi-million pound facility.

During his visit, the duke filled a nine-gallon cask of Brains SA beer.

While watching the casks being filled, one started spraying ale and the duke, who was laughing, had to quickly get out of the way.

John Rhys, chairman of Brains, joked: ‘You did well to step back then.’

William also met apprentices from a scheme that aims to help people out of long-term unemployment by training them as chefs in Brains pubs.

After being assisted in pulling the pint by Dave Lewis, the long-standing manager of the Brains-owned Lamb & Flag in Abergavenny, the duke unveiled a plaque to mark his visit.

He said: ‘I’m sorry you are all in on a Saturday, on a rugby day. I hope you all get to the TV later or the stadium.’

Following the visit, the duke saw Wales win the Six Nations by beating Ireland at the Principality Stadium.

Brains, which was established in 1882, is Wales’s biggest brewer and moved to the new premises earlier this year.

The Dragon Brewery will produce more than 20 million pints of Brains beer a year.