Six of the Best from Black Country Ales, the Antic of the West Midlands. Well, perhaps not quite Antic, but BCA’s combination of smart community pub with lots of beers does have some similarities. Because Brum gets a kicking sometimes, let’s start in the heart of the second city (after Manchester). Jewellers Arms, Birmingham Lovely… Continue reading A BLACK COUNTRY SIX
Tag: Black Country pubs
BRITANNIA (2)
You left me at the Spoons in Blackheath, contemplating my next step. A quick look at WhatPub revealed a second Britannia, this one the local Cider Pub of the Year. AND in Rowley Regis, where I’d never been before. Two Britannias 12 minutes apart in the same town (virtually). Now there’s an opportunity for… Continue reading BRITANNIA (2)
THE GREAT SPOONS TABLE MOVERS OF BLACKHEATH
No, not that Blackheath. The one in the West Midlands with the identity crisis. Blackheath is a town in Rowley Regis area of Sandwell, says Wiki. Got big capital letters and all, so it must be a proper place. Bet the residents support West Brom. I’ve been to a couple of pubs on the A4034… Continue reading THE GREAT SPOONS TABLE MOVERS OF BLACKHEATH
SUCCUMBING TO CARLING IN THE DESI PUB
“That’s not Carling !” I can hear the pedants shout. But I bet Peter Allen, South Birmingham Carling Drinker of the Year 1996, spotted it, presented in misleading glassware aiming to cash in on Coors sudden popularity amongst hipsters. I’m surprised my faithful army of pedants didn’t jump in to shout “Oi, you’re in Tipton,… Continue reading SUCCUMBING TO CARLING IN THE DESI PUB
BULL & BLADDERED
There. Got your attention now. An official “Classic Pub” that no-one will argue with. The walk there from Dudley town centre won’t feature on many “classic walks” though. It’s easy to romanticise the Black Country, but the A4036 is not a road for the romantic. A succession of industrial estates and power tool outlets, it’s… Continue reading BULL & BLADDERED
SPLASHING THE CASH IN DUDLEY
You’ll like the next few posts. Unless of course you live in Maidenhead and dream of a new Brunning & Price opening. I was coming to the end of my West Midlands adventure for GBG19, and splashed out on a boutique hotel in Delightful Dudley (my term, not theirs). Grand staircases, decor evocative of a… Continue reading SPLASHING THE CASH IN DUDLEY
HOP TWISTERS IN HALESOWEN
More short posts you can read over your teatime pint. I feel like I’ve done Halesowen to death, so I can’t be bothered to give you another cultural analysis of the “Jewel on the A456“. The big question, of course, is this; “Is Halesowen in the Black Country ?” The pubs certainly have that… Continue reading HOP TWISTERS IN HALESOWEN
A JEWEL IN THE JEWELLERY QUARTER
Only one more post then it’s the big trip to Aberdeen, which is more than a succession of Brew Dogs. The Jewellers Arms has generous opening hours, but being a few minutes from Burning Soul, which doesn’t, I’d been saving it up. I didn’t have high expectations, having had my share of disappointments with Black… Continue reading A JEWEL IN THE JEWELLERY QUARTER
BOING BOING, AFTERNOON BOOZING
My last Black Country tick in a whirlwind weekend was another of those Black Country Pubs I both love and loathe. Undoubtedly unpretentiously pubby, they sometimes spoil things by an excess of handpumps, particularly mid-week. And their excellent own beers seem neglected in favour of a long line of guests, neatly displayed on a big… Continue reading BOING BOING, AFTERNOON BOOZING
YAM YAM
Young Simon is clearly having a good time down in Dorset, exploring the unexpectedly rough pubs of Greater Bournemouth (Lesser Bournemouth is rubbish). I’m quite jealous of his first ever trips to Lower Parkston Ex-Servicemen’s Club and the Cricketers, particularly as I’ll only get to drive him to square micros this week. New entries to… Continue reading YAM YAM
