please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Largish Black Country Ales pub in the centre of town. Very much in their house style, but somehow not quite up to their usual standard. It seems to larger and more open plan than their usual establishments, and thus lacks the cosy feel. While there are the usual 11-12 handpumps, unusually 3 of them were not being used. Stull I had very nice pints of both Hearty Hercules and Beowulf Killer Stout. Had a regular supply of local CAMRA literature too.
|
Great to find a pub, with a no children policy - rare around here, and a nice change!
Debzc - 10 Oct 2015 15:36 |
Walked in and out of the Shrewsbury and the Griffin as the music was just too loud. After trying the new Charlton House (not listed on here), we moved on to the Courthouse. It's seems to be undergoing somewhat of a makeover, returning it more to the original Banks's version of the Courthouse. Whilst it was quiet when we entered, it soon filled up. 12 ales and 4 ciders or perries were on - Black Country Pig on the Wall, BFG & Fireside, Bru Dry Irish Stout, Keltec Lance, Batemans Yella Belly, RCH Firebox, Oates Cara Gold & APA, Downton Get Carta, Church End Fallen Angel, Brains The Rev James, Thistly Cross Whisky Cask, Skorpion Black Cider, Lilleys Red Rabbit & Barbourne Painted Lady Perry. Still a solid 8/10. The atmosphere lacks here. But the ale and cider range is easily the best in Dudley.
|
Cracking pub selling some of the best beer in dudley town centre. The pub can get very busy at weekends but well worth a visit.
|
On my visit, sadly missed the Beer Festival by 1 week but all the same there was a selection of 8+ ales to choose from. Large lounge area for comfort and conversation while bar area is busy on a Friday night. Well worth a visit.
|
For money this is, apart from the annual Winter Ales Fayre, the only reason to venture into Dudley town centre. There's always a good cross section of real ales on - usually something for most folks' tastes - and even a selection of ciders. The range changes regularly, which is good. Prices are fairly reasonable, too - nice to drink for under �3 a pint.
Earlier in the week, I joined a couple of mates there. As I expected, after the weekend the range of beers was depleted, but there were still at least 6 to try. Each one I tasted was good. We very much enjoyed our evening.
Also as expected it was quiet - a Monday night in Dudley is hardly a throbbing and 'happening' scene! However, for a quiet drink and a chat the Courthouse was just about right. OK, so it's not the most glamorous place to visit and looks a bit daunting (lacking in presence of the young and beautiful, but having its share of local 'characters') but certainly a good venue for a few drinks and conversation held at normal volumes. I even felt perfectly safe in reading my Kindle before and after my friends had come and gone.
|
Quite a few beers were off during our late Saturday evening visit. In fact, there were only 7 on - Frys Bunny Chough & Blonde Chough, Wentworth IPA, Traditional Scottish Highland Fling & Black Country Pig on the Wall, Bradleys Finest & Fireside. There were also 4 ciders - Moles Black Rat, Orchard Pig Philospher, Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon & Tricky Sweet. This is still the best pub in Dudley and is well run. However, I can't help but think that it lacks a little when it comes to atmosphere.
|
Cracking range of well-kept and often unusual beers plus a good choice of ciders and foreign bottles. Lunchtime food is ridiculously good value. Well worth a visit, or even better a session.
|
Great pub run by the ex-landlord of the Red Cow in Coseley. Always makes you feel welcome. Great Hot Pork & Stuffing baps on a Saturday. On my visit there was also a beer festival of 10 ales direct from the barrel with a further 7 on the bar plus draft ciders. Well worth a visit.
|
16 ales on, an astonishing range. I was only here for 2 pints worth & left with tears in my eyes. I had Northern brewers Two-tone Chocolate stout & Mallinsons Nimbus Rising - both very different & very well kept beers. I have no interest in the decor but it is pleasant pub to be in. Wonderful range of beers 9/10
|
severely great real ale pub owned apparantly by the wellington pub guys in brum,9ales on when visited and the pint of red squirrel red tail was divine,quick service too 8/10
|
Visited for the first time in a while last Saturday night. It was very busy and still had a good selection of ales - Black Country Pig on the Wall & Fireside, Bass, Slaters Haka, Roosters Cream, Two Towers Chamberlain, Boggarts Dark Mild, Brickyard Cascadian and Titanic Wreckage. In addition two real ciders were available - Black Rat and Thatchers Heritage. It does lack a little in atmosphere, but is head and shoulders above all other Dudley establishments. Definitely worth a special trip, if you haven't yet been.
|
Apparently this pub fits into the 'if you build it, he will come' category of taking a run down pub, doing it up, putting loads of decent real ales on, decent food and spinkle some good customer service into the mix. The Nags Head in Reading, Hop Pole in Aylesbury are other examples. Beer range astonishing, 14 to choose from I think. A must visit pub!
|
An excellent pub - about a dozen beers on offer plus real ciders. We tried several ales and the quality was excellent. Well worth the bus trip!
|
My first visit to this pub for their beer festival on 28th Jan, and I was really impressed with the beer available and the quality of the beer. Very clean tidy pub with a big room and good selection of ales on tap. The food was reasonable and very enjoyable too.
|
Since reopening under the auspices of Black Country Ales the Courthouse has gone from strength to strength. There are always up to 13 beers on and on a recent visit 3 real ciders as well. Beer quality has been excellent.
Many of the beers are from far flung micro's and include some dark brews, such as Lancaster Stout and Downton's Chocolate Surprise.
There is a board on the wall listing the brews avaliable in the same manner as the Wellington in Birmingham.
The pub is handy for the bus station, and only a few minutes walk from the tourist attractions of the zoo and black country museum, although the pub itself must be the number 1 reason to visit Dudley now!
|
the courthouse is a great pub and a godsend for dudley.great real ales always loads on and friendly staff.if you are ever in dudley make this a must visit.keep up the good work.
|
Looks unpromising from the exterior but inside its a beer drinker's heaven. Recently done up from what was apparently an uninspiring boozer by Black Country Ales. All the Black Country ales plus guests from microbreweries from far and wide and 3 real ciders fill the 16 handpumps. The only TV is one that describes the beers and gives information. There is one large room and a snug, both recently refurbished and pleasant enough, if unremarkable. Good views of Dudley Castle from the back window. It's 5 minutes from the bus station and is the must visit pub in Dudley centre, although the environs contain many more. A great job done!
|
I have been using the court house since it reopened and i cant believe the transformation! Me and my friends love it. It is the best thing to happen to dudley. Mick and dawn who run it really do go that extra mile to make you feel welcome. I wish them well.
|
Wow. What a difference a few years make. I haven't been in here for a good while now, but was encouraged by some of the good reviews I had heard. A dismal Banks's pub has now been converted into a real ale mecca run by the same people as the Wellington in Birmingham. At last Dudley has a decent real ale pub to rival the rather stale Wetherspoons. There are 16 handpumps with one recently dedicated to cider - Moles Black Rat during our visit. 14 ales were on - Severn Valley Dabley Gold, Titanic White Star, Lifeboat & Stout, Black Country Pig on The Wall, BFG & Fireside, Potbelly Best, Shugborough Mi Lady's Fancy, Hadrian Ginger Beer, Centurion Bitter & Gladiator and Davenports Summer Telse & Kerfuffle. The interior has been refurbished quite nicely. Whilst the gents toilets could do with a bit of a spruce up, they are amongst the largest I have ever seen. Service is efficient and the owners really seem as if they want to make a go at this venture. Judging by the number of punters on a early Saturday afternoon, they seem to be succeeding. Well worth a visit if in the Black Country area.
|
