The rail route from Leicester back to Oxford doesn't logically take you through Birmingham. But there is no logic to rail travel on a bank holiday weekend...
After a cancelled bus replacement and diversion to Derby (alas, too early for the Brunswick), we found ourselves in Birmingham early afternoon.
This gave the opportunity to break our journey and tick off the remaining central beer guide pubs that I hadn't visited (or didn't think I had).
Starting with the Head of Steam...
I'm afraid the Head of Steam had a bit of a depressing end of the bank holiday feel to it.
It's a spectacular place: a bit of an Oktoberfest theme in the entrance hall, then stairs leading to a central bar with plenty of vertical drinking space and seating to the front and back.
The barman was in that mode where he looked thoroughly bored, but having to serve us was still an arduous task.
The beer range was depleted, with a row of 'coming soon' labels and our first choice Magic Rock keg had run out.
Eventually I ended up with a Hobsons 'Town Crier' golden ale, which was in good enough condition, but the beer wasn't going to turn this into an exciting pub visit.
 |
| Big lamp or miniature post box? |
This is one of those pubs that looks splendid with its glazed wall tiles, etched windows and hanging baskets, whilst changes to the rest of the street have left it isolated with less appealing buildings either side.
Once we walked it in it clicked that I'd been here before, although last time it was bustling with activity, whilst this time our arrival doubled the number of punters.
Part of the Black Country Ales chain, there is the usual extensive range of cask ales and a slightly unnecessary electronic screen listing available beers.
I opted for the Welbeck Abbey 'Vanilla Portland Bill' which was a cracking pint and thoroughly enjoyable. But it was a little sad to find the place so quiet, when it really needed a crowd of beer swilling folk and a hubbub of conversation.
I opted for the Welbeck Abbey 'Vanilla Portland Bill' which was a cracking pint and thoroughly enjoyable. But it was a little sad to find the place so quiet, when it really needed a crowd of beer swilling folk and a hubbub of conversation.
Colmore (116 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3BD - web)
The Colmore is part of the Thornbridge & Co venture with Pivovar, which also includes the Market Cat in York and Bankers Cat in Leeds.
Guess they balked at calling this the 'Colmore Cat' then?
The building previously housed Lloyds Bank and it's a bit of a stunner. It's a long single room with plush leather bench seating, tub chairs and stools, chandeliers and marble-topped tables.
I was beginning to regret lunching on cheese & onion cobs in the Craven Arms as we sat close to the small kitchen which was dishing out scrumptious looking pizzas.
From a fine choice of beers at the bar my pint came from the local Burning Soul Brewery - a tasty single hopped pale ale that the landlord joked I couldn't have 'cos he wanted it all to himself.
I was beginning to regret lunching on cheese & onion cobs in the Craven Arms as we sat close to the small kitchen which was dishing out scrumptious looking pizzas.
From a fine choice of beers at the bar my pint came from the local Burning Soul Brewery - a tasty single hopped pale ale that the landlord joked I couldn't have 'cos he wanted it all to himself.
She was, sadly, to be disappointed, as we discovered it had closed down early this year, the site now being turned into a restaurant-bar called Nude.
I did a quick web search to check I'd got that right - always remember to ensure safe browsing mode is on when web-searching 'Nude Birmingham'....
But again, where is everyone?
I've never seen the Wellington anything but rammed on all my previous visits, but here we were with a handful of folk in and a vast choice of seats.
The usual choice of fine ales was present, with my pick being a Bespoke Brewing Co. 'Money for Old Rope'.
A chap from Banbury settled himself at the next table and struck up a conversation about the best 10-pint pub crawls in the Birmingham. D'you really think I'd ever be able to find my way around New Street station to catch the train home after ten pints?!
We kept it to a sensible four pubs before making our way home.
Everywhere had been good, but everywhere would have provided a different experience with a few more drinkers.
No comments:
Post a Comment