retiredmartin

August 2025. Birmingham.

Another one to upset the “I thought this was a beer blog” mob as we head from tranquil Tanworth-in-Arden into central Birmingham via southern suburbs called Hollywood and Brandwood End that have never seen a GBG entry*, into a suburb that has.

Stirchley, home to our much missed Pub Man Peter and liquid chocolate is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK, according to at least 46 clickbait sites.

That reputation rests on weekend opening (if there’s no private party that takes precedence) brewery taps like Attic and Birmingham Brewing, and if you were allowed to use the term “shabby chic” in 2025 I’d say the main drag (Pershore Road) is the epitome of shabby chic. But I’m not.

It’s a bit Cambridge Mill Road, though whether it’s Mill Road before or over the bridge is hard to say.

“Are you sure about this ?” says Mrs RM, as I search for a spot for Sunday brunch on the main strip.

The Den is Stirchley personified, an old greetings card shop turned brunch bar that only opened in June. It’s also fully booked for Sunday brunch, but their lovely young staff squeeze us into the courtyard garden (who knew greetings card shops had gardens ?) and feed us something beef brisket and eggy and gorgeous.

Potent black coffee, too.

The Den is on the CAMRA pub site as it seamlessly changes into a late night bar after brunch,

drawing you in with that rare keg Boddies that will no doubt be under threat from the cask version.

Mrs RM briefly wondered if 11am was too early for a 6.2% can from the fridge;

somehow I convinced her that, yes, it was.

*Duncan will correct me. Probably loads of M & B Brew XI round there once