Beer was part of the PM's winning election fight

They believe action is needed to stop the traditional Welsh village pub becoming a watering hole of a bygone age.

The pair, Conservative for Monmouth and Plaid Cymru for Islwyn respectively, are avid ale fans and can expect their new roles to take them to numerous taste tests.

The Welsh Assembly in Cardiff Bay already stocks its own branded beer.

Now, messrs Davies and Hancock are advocating equal promotion with the likes of Welsh cheese as a key component of the "Welsh experience."

'Taste of Wales'

Mr Hancock, the only AM to be become a CAMRA member, also shares his surname with his favourite tipple - Cardiff's historic, rugby-influenced Hancocks HB.

"We have Welsh Lamb, Welsh Beef, Welsh cheeses and even now a Welsh wine, which is a growing industry," he said.

Brian Hancock wants the group to help the brewing industry

"But Welsh beer has been a traditional interest for many year.

"Foundrymen, colliers and slate workers would have a couple of beers to whet their whistle and get the dust out of their throats.

"It was never the strongest beer, but a tasty beer to quench their thirsts."

The pair are hoping the new political alliance with CAMRA, which advocates an authentic drinking experience, can help the troubled Welsh brewing industry rise back to the top.

Swansea-based Tomos Watkin - which brews traditional, strongly branded Welsh ales - is currently being torn apart by commercial infighting amongst between shareholders and directors.

The episode is threatening the name and future of the Llandeilo-born company.

Helping hand

But it is not the first time politicians have stepped in to put the fizz back in to Welsh brewing.

In February, Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones struck a deal to buy the defunct Wrexham Lager brand name for �1 in a bid to keep the 118 year old brew alive.

He hopes one day to be able to resurrect the company before it is further subsumed in to Carlsberg-Tetley's interests at Lancashire.

"That is another why we need to be interested," added Mr Hancock, Plaid's small businesses spokesperson.

"Breweries are sites of employment - they contribute to economic development and growth.

"Even Hancock's is not brewed in Wales anymore."