21/03/18 - Good Beer Guide Pubs of Birmingham - Part 2

Nothing stays the same.  We started our second city ticking at Xmas 2016, using the 2017 version of the bible as a guide.  There were 7 pubs to be visited and we only managed 3, always knowing we would come back.

15 months later and here we are, armed with the 2018 bible.   Horrifyingly, the number of City Centre entries has dropped to just 4. 

To justify the journey, we cobble a pub crawl from the two editions and throw in our own stupid mistake.

Eagle Eyed Pub Tickers may be able to spot the mistake from our Route

Victoria, 48 John Bright Street, Salopian Golden Thread (2017 Guide)

C19th Theatre Bar 

Nice start, with the Bitter and Twisted pub company rescuing a C19th Theatre Bar.  We know from our visit to one of their other pubs (Rose Villa Tavern) that this will be decorated to a high standard and provide the sort of pub you can lose yourself in.   Side rooms for exploration, quirky decorations and cocktail/whisky menus to peruse.

Punter-wise we have a mixture of the after office crowd, slagging off useless Project Managers and a random odd bloke ordering a 2nd pint before finishing the first and disappearing, leaving both drinks his table.  I can identify with both parties.

Things to do, People to see

Always a fan of Salopian brews and this first Golden Thread didn't disappoint.

The Shakespeare, Lower Temple Row, Moonstone Hadley Brewing Company

Short walk around New Street and we are in Pub 2.

I'm perplexed as to why a City Centre Identikit Nicholson Pub should be troubling the Good Beer Guide.

Seen it all before

See previous comment

The answer?  It isn't in the guide.

Don't tell Mrs M, but I have made a monumental screw up in planning - the Shakespeare we wanted is in Summer Row.

Still, it was less of a walk to this one.

The Wellington, Bennetts Hill, Staropramen (2017 and 2018 Guides)

Should need no introduction to anyone still interested in reading this blog.... its been a stalwart of the Real Ale scene in Birmingham for many years.

It kind of works and it kind of doesn't.

Architecturally, it a stunning Georgian Town House, split over at least three levels.  We might have been able to climb higher in the quest for a seat but decided to cash in under heaters on the external terrace.  Nice in the summer, not so great in the Winter that never ends.

The Wellington as Night Falls

Its a Black Country Ales tied house and there's an ever changing selection of 18 hand pulls on - most of which are unheard of to me.  Confusion always reigns at the packed downstairs bar.   At our upstairs bar, they were just turning the HPA Clip around to cancelled, with a perplexed bar man looking at the grim looking swill water that had come out.   This left just one ale, Oakham Citra.

We had a quick expensive Continental lager, made our excuses and left.

Always too busy.  Always too confusing.

Queens Arms, 150 Newhall Street, Wye Valley HPA (2017 Guide)

Another handsome Victorian pub that has disappeared from the guide.

Need to see it in daylight really

Rare spotting of Mrs M getting a round in

The owners have invested in keeping it pleasant.  Inside is just as nice as outside and many distractions are available.  Mrs M challenges me to a game of Connect Four.  The pub sport of Kings.

Whether the patrons appreciate the attention to sophistication remains to be seen.  Ever so slightly intimidating feel oozing from some well oiled patrons.

The Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath Street, Two Towers Hockley Gold (2018 Guide)

Been looking forward to visiting this place.  The Gunmakers are the kings of Social Media Marketing - frequently tweeting about Birmingham events and history and not always beer related.

And you wouldn't think anywhere that's a 5 minute walk from Snow Hill could still manage to be in the absolute middle of nowhere.

Bang in the City Centre

A really friendly welcome awaits from the barman and the regulars.

Barman - Have you been before?  Would you like help choosing?  The Two Towers brewery is next door.  This silver tongued charmer talked Mrs M into her first ever real ale.   In 33 years of drinking with her, this is a first.

A Regular on spotting a group of Scousers supping in the Corner - "I've put something on the jukebox that you chaps will like".   The opening chords to Echo and the Bunnymen's Never Stop are met with "they're Birkinhead Scum".

Can't win them all.

We commandeer the Jukebox for a bit of Bad Seed Action and I try and work out how much I am enjoying my pint.   Quality but maybe over hoppy for me.  I'd need another to be sure.

Only Nick Cave'has a Red Right Hand

We have a choice on whether to make the last on the List - the Woodman.  Its a 15 minute walk and the trains are irregular at this time.

I suggest a compromise.   After the row has fizzled out and Mrs M hears the compromise, we catch the 20:58 home and have the pint of the night.

Bathams at the King and Castle, Kidderminster Station.