please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A good find on an exploration of Birmingham's southern reaches. I peered through the window and was delighted to see Titanic Plum Porter on tap - so duly entered to indulge. Good service and lots of other fine ales on too while it seemed to do a good job of appealing old and young alike.
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A friendly welcome at this large, multi-roomed pub and a choice of six cask ales. The one I had was in excellent condition. The food is tasty and filling. Well worth a visit. The pub seems to be something of an oasis in what is otherwise a somewhat drab area across the tracks/canal from Bournville village. 8/10.
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This large traditional suburban pub and it's range of ales are very well regarded by most I mention the place to, but after three determined attempts I have completely failed to get to grips it. For my first visit the Oak was swamped by loud and highly objectionable drunk patrons formed from a wedding reception. The return visit was repaid by getting short changed by the barmaid. Hoping for a third time lucky I was most recently served on sullen fashion to a "4.0%" Hereford ale, tasting like a shandy using still water rather than lemonade. Very popular with the locals but not as you can see with this reviewer.�
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Large multi-bar pub with interesting 1930s ish decor in some rooms and an area out the back. Also specialises in cider from the barrel which had an effect far beyond its - in this case - 6.5%.
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According to one of the women I work with who lives just round the corner from this pub, it`s a really great boozer! Was the drunken bloke in the doorway the one who robbed the Building Society and was celebrating his good fortune....before he was nicked?
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Was going to drop in for a quick pint, the other day, as I was passing, to see if this has improved, since my last visit, as other reviews suggest.Standing outside the main door, drinking from a can, was a big burly, shaven headed, menacing looking bloke. I decided I wasn't that thirsty after all.
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Visited the pub on Sunday 7th March 2010 and plan to visit again soon.
What a pleasant surprise this place is. I�ve lived in the area for 30+ yrs and have witnessed the transformation from tired Victorian pub to busy local serving great real ales and ciders. The menu is reasonably priced; varied and they do cook good food. They also host a Comedy Club �The Laughing Sole� - packed out whenever it�s held.
There were about 7 real ales and 3 ciders available. I drank some great stuff from Saltaire and Thornbridge while one of my mates said he thoroughly enjoyed the Mild. This is an impartial and unprompted posting from an ordinary beer drinker. Bring on the good weather so I can enjoy the big back garden.
Other businesses in this area have been struggling for years but those running this pub have to be congratulated for offering a real alternative to B�ham City Centre where other great real ale pubs can be found.
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Visited this place recently. Bought a dreadful pint of M&B Mild, which I took back, only to be informed that it must be okay as they hadn't had any complaints, which isn't really a defence, especially as the pub was almost empty. The pint was very reluctantly changed and the new one virtually thrown at me, which was a shame because it was a great pint of Black Sheep.
I always try to make an effort to visit local pubs such as this, but with such poor service, it makes me think I'd be better off at a national chain (such as Wetherspoons), where I wouldn't have had the same attitude from their staff, and where the beer is cheaper.
A shame because they are in the Good Beer Guide, and the Black Sheep was great so I'd be forgiving of a bad pint of mild. What is less forgiving is the staff and management attitude - I won't be rushing back.
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Royal Oak Stirchley � Sunday 23rd June 2009
Irish band playing way whilst I enjoyed the first of few excellent looking real ales, chalked up on the board.
First off was Pacific Bitter, a very zesty pint, light and refreshing, just what you wanted on a hot summer afternoon 3.8% @ �2.65 (5/10).
Next up was the Zebra Best Bitter � burnt umber taste, hint of cinnamon, dry after taste, not quite my style @ �2.65. (4/10)
M&B Mild a good stable solid Midlands dark mild, session ale at 3.8%, excellent nick, with that dark body, finished with white creamy head @ �2.10 (8/10)
Nutty Black, very dark like mild, expected to be heavy similar to Guinness, but very light on the palette, but no nutty taste, session ale @ �2.65 3.3% (5./10).
Bishop Farewell � very zesty, quaffable enjoyed a few of these @�2.70 4.2% (8/10)
So to round up, an excellent afternoon with the Irish band playing away (3-6pm Sundays), with a wide eclectic mix of clientele, soft cushions on the seats, tea candle lights, set it off to a treat. Lots of well-behaved children, a family pub which I can full recommend..
It�s a pub I have past a hundred times, without think of entering, until I read the previous posting � will return.
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Visited here after a trip to Cadbury World on Easter Monday! From the outside it didn't look too promising. However the interior is large and welcoming. Take your pick of 5 large rooms, each as big as most pubs or the patio/garden. The public bar you enter through was the busiest. Three of the other bars had nobody in at all. However, I'd imagine these get very busy at weekends. There were 4 real ales - Skinners Cornish Spring, Brains Bread of Heaven, Clarks Classic Blonde and Fox Mr Tod plus a real cider - Westons Traditional Scrumpy. Definitely worth a visit if you're ever at Cadbury World!
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One of the best pubs in the area, good beer & food. Family friendly during the day.
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At a time when most of Birmingham's big roadside pubs seem to be in terminal decline, this one shows what can be done if you put a bit of effort in. Decent beer at reasonable prices, a nice beer garden, decor OK (but not over the top) and the punters keep coming. Other pubs take note.
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As a regulalr user of this pub for some years I can only disagree with the comment left by some others! This is a traditional pub not a theme/chain pub which is a welcome change! The atmosphere is great and so is the beer! There is a large beer garden plus bowling green beyond also a patio which in light of the recent ban has been covered to use as a smoking area which gives the ambience of being in a pub (although a bit cold at the mo!)!! As for the food - well its pub grub and perfectly pleasent.....
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Pub is going down hill and especially the food...damn shame because it is the only pub with lots of character...as some of the bar staff...can they at least smile? For a minute i thought i was back in london! Cmon guys sort it out dont drop down to the hibernian standards to chavtown mentality...
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One beer was distinctly off, presumably from dirty pipes - very poor service from the pub manager who refused to exchange or refund pints, claiming there was nothing wrong with them. As a CAMRA member (albeit a young one!) I find this extremely poor service.
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Cracking beer garden, good rotation of ales, nice original interiors, the only downside is the food really, although the menu is supposed to be expanding with the outdoor kitchen thing. Great afternoon pub.
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Vast roadside pub, typical of south Brum. Hard to see the CAMRA national inventory features (private function in the dining room prevented visit); caters to a wide range of custom, excellent MILD.
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Well kept Beer, vastly improved. Big pub, good garden.
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Much improved local pub serving a rolling choice of 2 to 3 real ales and with an interesting bar menu. Comfortable front lounge and rear dining area. Monday night quiz.
Tim - 20 Feb 2006 15:57 |
