02/05/15 - Jewellery Quarter Pub Crawl

Distance - Negligible
Pubs - 4
Geocaches - 1

The weather is not all that today.  Well, it is the start of a Bank Holiday weekend.  Time to indulge in another of my hobbies, the great British Pub.

On on the evidence here, it's death has been greatly exaggerated.

Thanks to an early taxi driver (wonders never cease), we are disembarking the 11:55am from Kidderminster at the Jewellery Quarter Station at 12:40pm.

The Rose Villa Tavern is our first port of call.

Next to the Chamberlain Clock

Beautiful Stained Glass Windows allow light to flood in

There are three types of punters in this lunchtime.  The majority of people are aging Villa fans, squeezing into their vintage kits.  They are in good humour - Tim Sherwood has brought back the feel good factor to Villa Park.  I can't help but think they are cutting it a bit fine, as we are a fair way from the ground.  They must know what they are doing.

The 2nd type are the brummie hipsters.  We are talking sleeve tattoos and great big bushy beards.  Like Hoxton has re-located.

The 3rd and final breed are a little more unstated and harder to spot.  The notebook wielding real ale fan, holding his pint to the light and studying the architecture of the place and nodding appreciatively.

Good to know that I am not alone.

A pint of Black Sheep served in a nice solid jug and we are off for lunch.

Who would have thought we would find a taste of Louisiana in North West Birmingham.

But this is what the Church Inn has reinvented itself as.

Deep South

Beyond its traditional exterior is an american diner, complete with booths, Southern Fried Chicken, ribs and Burgers named after Elvis.

Sonia gets into the swing of things by ordering a Mojito.

Whilst I stick to water.  And Everards Tiger Bitter

The food arrives at the same time as our Villa fans from the Rose Villa Tavern.  Now, they are really cutting it fine.

Suitably fed, we grab the one cache on route before heading to the Lord Clifden.  It's a big decision on whether to go in or not, as from the outside, its not really worth a photo.  Looking very run down and uninviting, we have to muster up the bravery that can only be provided by rum based cocktails to walk through the door.

It was one of our better decisions, as this was pub of the day.  And not just because vintage New Order was blasting out the jukebox, as I order my Canon Royal Teddy Bear.

Now, who on earth came up with that name in their marketing department?  The bar lady giggled.  A fellow drinker asked me what it was like, not being comfortable enough with his masculinity to order it himself.

It was superb.

My Teddy Bear

Feed the jukebox with 1 golden nugget for 5 plays.  There is nothing finer than Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in a public place.

As well as the top tunes, they also did wonderful food and were serving the community by staying open to at least 6am for the Mayweather fight.  As tempting as this sounds, I don't have the energy.

So we pull ourselves away for the last pub of the day.

The Jeweller's Arms looks a little "down to earth" on the outside and unlike the Lord Clifden, matches it on the inside as well.

Opposite the Station

A Taste of Shropshire

At last, we understand why there are so many Villa Fans around.  The game is being shown live in this pub.  There's an equal split of villains, old boys boozing away the afternoon and wedding guests getting dutch courage.

It's a short trip back to the station from here.  I have my own date with TV football - the Albion are on at the 5:25pm game.