Mappiman's Real Ale Walks: 01/08/24 - Selly Oak to Woodgate Country Park and the 2nd Half of a CAMRA Pub Crawl

Lost in Country Parks, Free Chouffe Hats

Second City of Birmingham Rambers walk. Easy walking on the Bourn Brook Way. Start at Selly Oak, head west into Woodgate Park. Inexplicably, our walk leader manages to loose his way. Instead of 4.75 miles, we walk 7.5.

Does Birmingham have Mountain Rescue? At least two of our group of 7 would have called them. Mutterings of this is like "a Sunday Ramble".

Although interesting to find new places - a peak at Weoley Castle through iron railings - the walk was unphotogenic. Gravel paths along a stream through woodland.

You want proof - 4/7 of today's party

Back in Birmingham City Centre at 3pm, Thursday afternoon. A perfect time to complete CAMRA Birmingham City Centre Pub Trail Part 1.

The four pubs are all very familiar.

The Wellington has been making the news for possibly the wrong reasons, dependent on your felines in pubs viewpoint.

The Wellington Pub is being forced by Black Country Ales to remove their beloved resident cats. The cats have been resident for 5 years and are loved by regulars and visitors alike. Sign the petition to help save them! https://t.co/iIxR7AtDjc pic.twitter.com/4aue1YzAbO
— Cats Of Birmingham (@BirminghamCats) July 24, 2024

I think it is a battle lost, as they have now been re-homed. I can honestly say that I have never noticed any cats on my previous visits.

Who let the Cats out?

My visit, like a regular. To avoid complex beer decisions from a wall of BCA Handpulls, I went for a big bang per buck Thistly Cross Cider. £5.40 for 6.9%, teasing future minimum cost per unit policies. Avoid the crowds for the first floor balcony and one of the few Brummie rooftop bars. I can only think of the Button Factory as another.

A peek into an upstairs room for tradition

From the terrace, it is possible to connect to the Old Joint Stock Wi-Fi. But of course, our crawl is taking is to this far outpost of the Fullers tied house estate. The Colmore runs it close, but I would still say this is my "go to" Birmingham Pub.

Sucker for a domed ceiling

Former Bank Splendour

Chain pub next. And not JDW. It's the Head of Steam. Thursday afternoon is the time to visit. I could actually get to the bar to see what was on from an extensive choice of cask, keg and international.

Keen to get something for nothing, there was no choice.

Where to wear my free gnome hat?

It's a Chouffe party - with bunting

For the sake of completion, The Good Intent is the final visit. Craddocks tied house but there is usually something else with a description on the pump clips to be had. Certainly, the Great Western Arcade remains the place to impress new visitors to the city.