Magnificent 7 Wetherspoon pubs that are the real deal
THE Good Beer Guide 2020 includes seven Wetherspoon pubs from across Birmingham and the Black Country. Local members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) chose the pubs following regular visits to check on the quality of the real ales on offer.
They also took into account customer service, decor and overall atmosphere.
A spokesman said: “These pubs deserve their place in the Good Beer Guide 2020. It is our belief that if a licensee serves an excellent pint of real ale, then everything else in the pub, including customer service, quality of food and atmosphere, are likely to be of an equally high standard.”
The seven pubs are The Arthur Robertson in Perry Barr, Britannia in Rowley Regis, The Bloxwich Showman in Bloxwich, Bishop Vesey in Boldmere, The Mare Pool in Mere Green, St Matthews Hall in Walsall and Bellwether in Wednesbury.
All seven pubs were praised by the guide for their “excellent real ale”.
A spokeswoman for Wetherspoon said: “We offer our customers an excellent range of real ales at all times, including those from regional brewers and microbrewers, as well as hosting our own beer festivals.
“Staff at the pubs work hard to ensure that the real ales on offer are kept in first-class condition at all times and the pubs’ inclusion in the guide highlights this.”
There are currently 40 Wetherspoon pubs in the West Midlands alone, many of which have saved some stunning historic buildings in the process.
Here’s some more about the seven Birmingham and Black Country Wetherspoon pubs in the Guide...
The Arthur Robertson:
Named after gold medal winning Olympian Arthur Robertson, this pub just a short walk from Perry Barr train station. It might not look like much from the outside but it’s the service and ales that bring the punters in. According to the Guide, “the manager tries to keep three local guests on the go where possible.”
Britannia Pub & Brewery:
Known for its friendly staff, this recently refurbished pub offers real ales from a mixture of local breweries and is highlighted in the Guide for serving up “traditional Black Country pub snacks including cobs, pork pies and scratchings’’.
This Boldmere pub had a refurbishment last year and has been recognised for its pristine toilets. Yes really! This drinking hole is well established for being one of the best – it’s been a entrant for 18 consecutive years in the Guide.
Bishop Vesey:
The Bloxwich Showman:
This spacious former cinema turned pub is named after Pat Collins, who set up fun fairs in Bloxwich. The well-known ‘Bloxwich Showman’ died in 1943 and was buried in Bloxwich Cemetery. More than 50 years later the pub is doing him proud as one of the top Wetherpoons in the Midlands
Just like Bishop Vesey, The Mare Pool has award-winning toilets as well as great ale. Named after one of the many pools surrounding Sutton Coldfield, the venue is praised by CAMRA for “stocking local and national ales... with an emphasis on change”.
This town centre
The Mare Pool:
St Matthews Hall:
The Bloxwich Showman is one of seven Birmingham and Black Country Wetherspoon pubs honoured
Wetherspoon is housed in a stunning, stately 1830s building and is a firm favourite with locals and CAMRA. The Greek Doric-style building was purpose built in 1830-31 as Walsall’s first permanent library and now offers a selection of beers and ales.
Bellwether:
This split level pub and has seven changing beers and according to the
Guide “ten handpumps serving a large selection of guest ales The Guide also highlights the attractive pub interior “decorated with historic events.”
The 47th edition lists a total 24 pubs in just the Birmingham area, including four new entries – Cherry Reds on John Bright Street, Pint Shop on Bennetts Hill, Temple Street’s Head of Steam and Perry Barr’s The Arthur Robertson.
CAMRA described Guide newbie Cherry Reds as a “stylish independent pub” offering “three good quality ales alongside a range of bottled beers and keg products”.
According to members, Pint Shop made the list mainly thanks its “six handpumps dispensing a range of cask ales of various styles and strengths”.
The Head of Steam, which opened on Temple Street in February last year, is described as “a red-bricked Victorian city centre local part of the
Nicholson’s brand with changing guest ales... the pub has an excellent reputation for good food with frequent offers such as beer and burger, pie and pint”.
The Birmingham pubs retaining their place in the guide are:
Craven Arms, Upper Gough Street
Victoria, John Bright Street
Pure Craft Bar and Kitchen, Waterloo Street Wellington, Bennetts Hill
Shakespeare, Summer Row
Rock & Roll Bewhouse, Regent Place
1000 Trades, Frederick Street
Gunmakers Arms, Bath Street
Burning Soul Brewery, Mott Street
Lamp Tavern, Barford Street
Jewellers Arms, Hockley Street
Woodman, New Canal Street
Spotted Dog, Warwick Street
Physician, Harbourne Road
Bartons Arms, High Street
Old Moseley Arms, Tindal Street
Arthur Robertson, Walsall Road
Hop Garden, Metchley Lane
White Horse, York Street
Kings Heath Cricket & Sports Club, Alcester Road South
Inn on the Green, Westley Road