Tag: Walsall
The Pitch
by stymaster on Apr.06, 2013, under Walsall
Walsall.
This is a re-incarnation of Bar Sport, and some of my prior comments apply, but this time we were looking to watch the Grand national, for which it was perfect. Didn’t see ale, but my pint of Peroni was fine- and to be honest, it’s nice to see actual decent lager available for a change.
Revisit: The Crown
by stymaster on Feb.17, 2013, under Brownhills, Walsall
The Crown has been refurbished. Ouside is smartened up, with new plants and seating with sheilding from the A5 (which, even on a cold February night, we used), because….
…It’s even more of a restaurant and less of a pub. In doing that, the canteen like feel has been reduced, but this is very much not a pub, but a family feedbag type restaurant, part of the Martsons empire. If that’s what you’re after, it’s an improvement and not unpleasant. It’s fresh and clean, and very popular, but the beer is pricey and there’s no pub atmosphere. Staff were pleasant, and there’s some real ale, as well as actual decent lager, an increasingly rare thing these days, but we found ourselves missing the small, traditional pub-like area at one end which used to be there.
Revisits: The Fountain
by stymaster on Dec.22, 2012, under Walsall
Walsall:
The Fountain, Lower Forster St, Walsall
The Fountain always was a nice pub, so it was sad when it closed in August 2011, due to the pubco owners pricing the landlady out. Just after that, the lovely building next door caught fire.
The good point of this is that those nice people at the Backyard Brewhouse have bought it, and it’s now been open a week.
It’s lovely. As nice as The Swan, which is nice. A traditional, backstreet pub just on the edge of the town centre with Backyard’s fine selection of beer (four or five ales when I visited, and their own lager, plus others), and friendly staff and a nice atmosphere, Just the thing after Christmas shopping. It’s been tidied up and refurbed, but not stripped out.
Since it’s not a huge pubco’s pub, the prices are very reasonable too- you’ll see respectable change from 3 quid for a pint, which is good going these days. There was music, but it was quiet enough for conversation.
No food at present, but I’m told it’s on it’s way.
The Starting Gate
by stymaster on Jul.29, 2012, under Walsall
Walsall:
This is very much a backstreet drinkers pub: it’s very close to the town centre but you’re unlikely to find it unless you know it’s there. By the looks of the place it’s an old building, and is rumoured to be haunted.
The drinkers had been hard at it when we visited, but were friendly enough: rowdy, but friendly. Music was loud (but, to be fair, not shit) beer was acceptable, but no better (no ale, Stella was that 4% rubbish). Allegedly the place was refurbed in 2006, though I’d say “what with” to that. It reminded me of the Duke of Rutland or Shoulder of Mutton in several ways: old, traditional boozers with a local crowd, loud but OK music, and limited drinks range. Very much rough and ready…
The Pretty Bricks
by stymaster on Feb.04, 2012, under chain, Walsall
Walsall:
Long overdue for a blogged visit, we hadn’t been here in a long time, so a visit in the company of Andy seemed appropriate.
The Pretty Bricks has always been known as such, but it’s official name was The Tap and Spile, with The Pretty Bricks being a nickname from the unusual glazed bricks on the frontage. For some years it’s been noted for real ale.
It’s a traditional 2 room pub, now owned by Black Country Taverns, a small but growing chain in and around the Black Country, who specialise in traditional pubs, and they’ve adopted the name as it’s official one.
It’s a great place: 5 or 6 well-kept real ales, food (both a menu and cobs/pork pie), no music or gaming machines, and a friendly welcome.
The Foley Arms
by stymaster on Jan.21, 2012, under Walsall
Streetly:
I pass this pub practically every weekday, but rarely go in. It’s a traditional pub that’s now part of the Sizzling chain. This essentially means cheap but unremarkable food and beer, and a standardised chain experience. This isn’t a bad thing, if that’s what you’re after: the food isn’t bad at all, the beer is drinkable (but no real ale), and it’s a fairly comfortable place to sit.
The King Arthur
by stymaster on Jan.21, 2012, under Walsall
Park Hall, Walsall:
I don’t think we caught this on a good day, but by god, it was grim. We had high hopes, this being a Good Beer Guide featured pub, and, to be honest, the beer was very good indeed. But beyond that? It’s a 1960s pub with 1980s decor in the middle of Park Hall, a 1960s housing estate. It was packed, and packed with loud football supporters watching the very loud TV. Dark to the point of pitch black inside, and generally not somewhere I’d go back to. Shame.
Revisit: The Swan
by stymaster on Nov.05, 2011, under Brownhills, Revisits, Walsall
I’ve always liked the Swan. It’s a traditional community pub in Brownhills, and as I posted here it’s just re-opened. It’s now a free house, so hopefully the new owners will be able to make a decent living and keep the prices realistic.
The new owners have done a cracking job: the interior has been redecorated and looks fresh, but still traditional. There’s cobs (yay!), a good welcome, and a good selection of beer at decent prices, including 2 well-kept cask ales. A very nice pub.
The Spring Cottage
by stymaster on Aug.06, 2011, under Bloxwich, Walsall
Bloxwich:
Just up the road, this was once a William Roberts pub. It could be great, but was ruined by no cask ale, and loud music in a pub mostly full of people 40-50 wanting to talk. Shame really. A bit stripped-out as well.
The Thatched House Tavern
by stymaster on Aug.06, 2011, under Bloxwich, Walsall
Bloxwich:
Grim.
No ale, one room, with lino. The joy of picking the one drink from the pulls/taps you can bear (given a poor choice), to find it’s not available. Outside seemed like a good choice, despite the rain. Staff were Ok though.
