The Taphouse Tour is over, and here’s a summary:
| Name | Score |
| The Duke William | 9.75 |
| The Old Bulls Head | 9.37 |
| Green Duck Brewery Badelynge Bar | 8.75 |
| Beacon Hotel | 8.66 |
| The Fountain | 8.44 |
| Hail to the Ale | 8 |
| The Sow and Pigs | 7.525 |
| The Park Inn | 6.98 |
| The Windsor Castle | 6.8 |
| The Gunmakers Arms | 6.542 |
A less hectic pace than 100 pubs, but still presented it’s challenges. We made this mistake of visiting the logistically easy ones first, leaving us with complex trips to the darkest Black Country.
Pubblog Link
Whatpub Link
Brewery Site
Taphouse 10, again with a brewery actually onsite- Black Country Ales.
[Photo to follow as mine is terrible]
BCA have made quite an impact around here, with their beer and pubs being held in high regard.
A lovely pub with great food, staff, and beer. Less of a trek than some, with a 2/3 bus journey, not too bad for darkest Black Country. Welcoming, warm, relaxing and a great spot for the end of our tap house tour on a cold day.
| Ambience | 10 |
| Beer choice/quality | 8.5 |
| Architecture | 8.67 |
| Cobs/Pies/Snacks | 10 |
| Toilets | 9.67 |
Which means an overall score of 9.37, making it the runner-up, behind The Duke William, sadly the hardest to get to….
Pubblog Link
Whatpub Link
Brewery Site
Taphouse 9. Sadler’s Ales. The Brewery (with it’s own bar) is very nearby, but this clearly states itself to be the tap house.
Still not a bad place, but suffered a bit from “modern food pub” makeover like one of the big chains, rather than one of 4 Sadlers outlets. Staff very pleasant though.
| Ambience | 7.25 |
| Beer choice/quality | 9 |
| Architecture | 6.75 |
| Cobs/Pies/Snacks | 2.75 |
| Toilets | 8.25 |
Which means an overall score of 6.8, which seems a little unfairly low to me, but rules is rules.
Pubblog Link
Whatpub Link
Brewery Site
Taphouse 8, this time more the bar on the brewery site rather than a brewery on a bar or pub site.
A large converted historic factory with the brewery in plain view at one end. It’s a big open space with a “lounge” in one corner (some sofas), the bar in another, and benches and tables elswhere. It’s make a great place for a party, and indeed, they do hold events (such as Oktoberfest).
| Ambience | 9.5 |
| Beer choice/quality | 10 |
| Architecture | 8.5 |
| Cobs/Pies/Snacks | 10 |
| Toilets | 8.75 |
Which means an overall score of 9.35, pretty high-scoring.
Pubblog Link
Whatpub Link
Brewery Site
Taphouse 7, again with a brewery actually onsite- Craddocks.
A thoroughly wonderful pub with great food, staff, and beer. Quite a trek for us but worth it in every way. Just wish it wasn’t the best part of 2 hours away by bus.
| Ambience | 10 |
| Beer choice/quality | 10 |
| Architecture | 10 |
| Cobs/Pies/Snacks | 9.75 |
| Toilets | 8.75 |
Which means an overall score of 9.7, easily putting it in the lead so far.
PubBlog Link
Whatpub Link
Brewery Site
Taphouse 6, again with a brewery actually onsite- Holdens.
I was less enthusiastic than my last visit (but then, I was suffering with a worsening hangover), and we all agreed that while there was nothing wrong, it missed something. Pleasant enough, though.
| Ambience | 7.3 |
| Beer choice/quality | 8.6 |
| Architecture | 6 |
| Cobs/Pies/Snacks | 7 |
| Toilets | 6 |
Which means an overall score of 6.98.
PubBlog Link
Whatpub Link
Twitter
Taphouse 5, with a brewery actually onsite- Sarah Hughes.
More details in the PubBlog post. It’s still as good as ever, 3 years later.
| Ambience | 10 |
| Beer choice/quality | 8.3 |
| Architecture | 9 |
| Cobs/Pies/Snacks | 10 |
| Toilets | 6 |
Which means an overall score of 8.66, which I think makes it the leader so far.
PubBlog Link
Whatpub Link
Pub Website
Taphouse 4, this time it’s Two Towers‘ taphouse.
More details in the PubBlog post.
| Ambience | 7.5 |
| Beer choice/quality | 6.3 |
| Architecture | 6.83 |
| Cobs/Pies/Snacks | 6.58 |
| Toilets | 5.5 |
Which means an overall score of 6.542
PubBlog Link
Whatpub Link
Pub Website
Taphouse 3. Still on target! The taphouse for Two Crafty Brewers.
Had mixed feelings, but ended up liking this a lot. More details in the PubBlog post.
| Ambience | 8 |
| Beer choice/quality | 8.5 |
| Architecture | 8 |
| Cobs/Pies/Snacks | 6.375 |
| Toilets | 6.75 |
Which means an overall score of 7.525
PubBlog Link
Whatpub Link
Pub Website
The second taphouse, keeping us on target!
A bit more involved logistically, but not too hard. A meet in the very crowded Posada in Wolverhampton (it being match day with Wolves at home), then a walk outside to the 6 bus stop, a ride through Whitmore Reans, and a short walk down to the pub at Claregate.
It’s Wolverhampton’s first (and currently only) micropub, just one room, just one toilet, no draught lager.
It’s rather lovely. It’s owned an operated by Morton Brewery, located in Andy’s part of the world, but there’s a good selection of other beers, and it’s got a pleasant, community feel to it.
| Ambience | 8.25 |
| Beer choice/quality | 7.75 |
| Architecture | 5.75 |
| Cobs/Pies/Snacks | 10 |
| Toilets | 8.25 |
Which means an overall score of 8.