please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Went in here with friends last Saturday night because someone we knew was the live music act for the evening. It was heaving when we went in, but thinned out considerably towards about 10.00pm. Only one real ale being served, Purity Ubu, but service was polite and efficient. Strange sort of place: modern, minimalist décor, more of a wine bar type place than a real pub. However, that said, it's ok for a quick couple.
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My father used to be the M&B brewery surveyor for this area so I took him back to the Brown Lion yesterday after a 49 year absence to see what it was like now. As the last reviewer said, it's difficult to know whether this is a crèche or a pub - it could easily have been a walk in and walk straight out visit had we not spotted some proper seating underneath the stained glass windows at the rear of the pub and this is where we sat to drink our disappointing pints of Hook Norton Lion. There was no other handpull available yesterday afternoon so perhaps this means that there is no demand for ale here. Overall - poor.
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This pub is now re-open again. I hadn't managed a visit previously. So I have nothing to compare it to. 4 ales were on - Bath Gem, St Austell Tribute, Marstons Pedigree New World & Purity Pure Gold. The décor is rather strange. It is dominated by plastic chairs that look like they'd be more suited to a nursery. At least the pub's back open.
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Under offer apparently and there was somebody inside yesterday when we walked past but we didn't go inside to check out whether they were open for trading as we had to be elsewhere.
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This pub is now closed. There was just a notice on the door from Enterprise about who to contact if you were interested in running the pub.
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This used to be a very good pub which served as a brewery tap for Two Towers. However when I dared stick my nose in there more recently there was a hostile atmosphere, a huge dog on the floor by the bar (I love dogs but not in this context) and no real ale.
How are the mighty fallen, as one of our teachers used to say when some otherwise promising kid fell foul of one of the many and probably unwritten laws at the school - it was like a cross between "Another Brick in the Wall" (more correctly "Best Days of our Lives," I know) and "Piranha Brothers."
"Private Eye" mode: I made my excuses and left.
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Such a shame - this pub has re-opened and no longer sell any ales at all (they really should take the sign down outside that says that it does! We walked straight back out.
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Disappointed to find that it's no longer Two Towers. Beers available not exciting enough to warrant opening the wallet, went elsewhere.
hadda - 26 Jun 2013 17:28 |
A touch smelly. Lots of tvs. Beer ok.
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I was speaking to the brewery's owner a few months back who told me that this pub's connection with the Two Towers Brewery had ended (so maybe TTB need to update their website).
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I went into this pub last night for the 1st time since it reopened, I was disappointed to note that it had NO real ale on even though the Two Towers website still lists this pub as selling their beers.
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Now open. Visited today, a lot more commutable than it used to be. The
music was good (Matt Munro, Dean Martin) the new owner appears to be trying
to make a go of it. He has comedy clubs & entertainment booked throughout
the week. They have bitter on but sadly not when I visited, I was told they
had sold out but would be delivered the following day. I wish the owner
well with this venture in a pub that deserves to do well considering its
location.
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currently shut for a refurb.. not sure when back open
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Unfortunately closed, despite entry into this years Beer Guide.
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Unfortunately I went there on Friday 14th September and it has closed down
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Jonbag, the post is still there and he didn't say he stumbled. Now stop clogging this thread with rubbish.
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Tiamariajim - you said in your post (which has now gone) you were looking for the Great Western in Wolverhampton and stumbled across the Brown Lion, as this is the Brown Lion in Birmingham i can only imagine it was a massive stumble..
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To Jonbag, thanks for referring to me as an 'idiot'.
Where did I say I 'stumbled' across the Brown Lion?
I deliberately went there as it was a brewpub I hadn't ever visted before
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I was staying in bham for the last 4 nights in the jewellery quarter and stumbled across this pub, they advertised real ale and i thought i would give it a shot.
I'm glad i didn't read any comments on here, some guy has said he was trying to find a pub in Wolverhampton and stumbled across this pub.... idiot, and other people saying does the manager know what he's doing and will the pub have an identity, get a grip, do you know how difficult it is to run a successful pub, probably not because you've never had one.
The staff have made me feel welcome, Sam and Andy have been great, entertainment every night i have been in, friendly locals, it's been entertaining.
They freely let you try the different ales of which there is about 6 different ones to suit all tastes.
I plumped for the Hockley Gold and the Porter to finish the night, they looked good and went down well.
I for one am very glad i stumbled across the pub and look forward to nipping back when i get the chance.
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Went in sat aft as it advertised food and ale. Waited 20 minutes for the beer to be pulled as two (of four) ales needed barrels changing, only to be told food was only for those on brewery tour, despite us saying we would like to eat when we ordered the pints. Abysmal service, will not return. Food looked pretty average; and a pub that can't serve beer?!
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Popped in here again a few days ago, I really wish I didn't waste my time! A poor pint and even worse staff. The one member of staff that knew anything about ale (and one that could actually hold a conversation!) left about 2 months ago and since then it has just gone right downhill!
They need a manager who knows what to do with the pub as it looks dreadful and more importantly, who knows how to look after ale.
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Should have read the reviews before visiting here- bought two pints and both were poor! Nothing special about the pub itself but was clean and tidy. In their defence the staff were helpful in directing be to the Lord Clifden.
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Found this pub today after failing to find the Great Western in Wolverhampton. As others have said the beer tried was drinkable but not outstanding. Only noticed a CAMRA discount was possible as I left but I could live without the 10p having got to Birmingham from London with a special Chiltern Rail offer of 50p return!
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I wouldn't go so far to say this is a dreadful place trebor6 but I do agree with you about it being a bit amateurish. The pub doesn't really have an identity at all and seems like they expect people to flock there just because of their beers, which as you people have said don't really seem to be quite right yet. Definitly worth checking back to see if they get a manager who knows what to do with the place though.
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I think this is supposed to be someone'd hobby rather than their business. If it is then I suggest they find a new hobby, dreadul place.
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Don't get the rave over this place. Does not look finished and I really don't think the Tower beers are quite there yet. Still always likely to get better here and worth keeping tabs on it.
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I've visited this pub around harfadozen times now. First time - late last year - could easily have been the last time. Every single beer on the hand pumps was lactic. I had a half of everything on tap, left most of it and went on to some imported lager thing, which was O.K. but not very interesting.
Why did I go back?
Well, a yeast infection can happen to anybody (Oooh Matron!) and sometimes, it's just One Of Those Things; best avoided but not always within One's Destiny. New brewery and all that; QC problems obviously beleaguering the poor dears. The chap behind the bar I discussed it with didn't dismiss me as an idiot, whereas you, gentle reader, might. I got the impression everyone was trying very hard, and that's impressive in this day and age.
The clincher was that the bar staff were all absolutely brilliant. Helpful, friendly, courteous and in some cases, quite cute.
The pub itself is unpretentiously basic without being gimmickily agricultural. No tractor parts on shelves or spitoons used as ice buckets or sawdust on the bar. Basic. Functional. No sewing machines on shelves or gratuitous oxen goads hanging over the bar. NO big screen football intrusion- at least I didn't spot any intrusion, so I was happy. I could talk to the people I went in with and hadn't lost my voice or my hearing by the end of the night.
Bowl of chips with a pint. GREAT chips. Scratchings on draught. Gave some flavour to the imported lagery experience.
Second time I went in, had a pint of something which was so sour I had to send for a mop. Nice lady behind the bar tried it and spat it across the room in disgust. Very apologetic. SO.. we all went on to the porter, another Pair O' Towers concoction that was sooo good we all stayed with it till it was time to be swept out from under the table. The porter was absolutely lovely, so good that it totally balanced out the previous disappointments and made an aggregate positive experience if the two visits; that's quite a feat, but it was quite a beer. Six stars out of five for that one.
so - went back again. And again.
A couple of nights back, went back again with wife and daughter. WE had a meal - a selection of plattery stuff and something vegetarian for the awkward teenage teetotaller. It was very nice. We would have it again, doubtless.
Discovered another Brace O'Towers brew called Chamberlain or something similar. It was absolutely exquisite.
I drank far too much of it, bored the bar staff rigid with my enthusiasm and fell in with a couple of regulars, talking absolute gateaux and discussing the virtues of single malts. I'm easily entertained.
Ordered a couple of shots of that interesting-looking Nipponge Whiskey that was sitting on a high shelf. My it was superb. Plus plus ++ superb. I realized why when I got the tab. Ouch. I'll probably have it again, though, when I've saved up for a few weeks. Ask for "that Japanese scotch...|" and I'm sure they'll sort you out o.k. Seriously worth trying if you like smooth blends. You won't regret it, price notwithstanding.
There's live music, which I'll not discuss here and now.
Overall verdict? A jewel of a pub which maybe needed a bit of polishing re. the in house product range but which now seems to have itself sorted out. I'd cheerfully adopt it as my local.
The Two Towers ales are first class when they are up to spec, and I'd assume that that is where they'll be from now on. You can always try a shot-glass taster if you're unsure - a nice touch.
If you don't mind lack of plush decor nor snotty sevice and you can live without overpriced Italian fizzy beer and waiters in uniforms, get yourself down to the Lion and enjoy yourself. Look, I'd give this a 10/10 if it wasn't for the initial whoopsy with the beer QC, and I feel I have to be scrupulously honest in the rating so I've knocked a couple of points off, overall. On my last visit alone, I'd give it 10 each for service, beer and even the food (bearing in mind it's bar-snack, not A La Carte)
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Highly recommended.
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4th stop on a JQ crawl and first time I had come across the Two Towers range, had the Baskerville which was a lovely pint. In fact so good that we broke the days one pint per pub policy and stayed for another! Decent basic sort of place which was quite busy for early evening. For a rating I'd go as far as a 9 on the quality of the beer.
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Update on my review of June 27. Despite a ludicrous attempt by a Birmingham newspaper in it's front page headline and opening lines suggesting a recent withdrawal of a CAMRA award was prompted by the former manager leaving this particular fold to follow a calling to the Christian ministry instead of the more prosaic reason of falling foul of a trivial technicality, the Brown Lion is quietly going from strength to strength. Establishing itself as the least pretentious, expensive and exclusive of the cluster of Jewellery Quarter alehouses, it's Two Towers product is never less than highly drinkable and the clientele are revealed as interesting, sociable and cheerfully appreciative of the relaxed, informal atmosphere. A special mention should also be made of the service offered, which is consistently warm and attentive - a stark contrast to recent experiences in some of it's more self regarding rival establishments. My only criticism would remain over it's bland, underwhelming interior concepts, but after a series of memorably good nights (including some genuinely accomplished free music offerings), I'll push my rating up from 7 to a carefully considered 8.
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It`s a bit trendy, a bit spartan, a bit quiet...not loud enough for a blastbeat man! A goodly selection of very nice ales, friendly staff, no hooolighans...worth a visit.
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Very welcome addition to the city's pub scene - good range of Two Towers ales plus one guest, and probably the city's best range of overseas beers. The friendly landlord and bar staff are an added bonus.
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The notice board above the bar makes this place look like a teenage bedroom!
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Have visited this pub a few times since it opened. There was a lovely girl there who was the brewers daughter, she had a lot of knowledge about the ales that were on tap and about Two Towers, she was always friendly and chatting to everyone-haven't seen her in a long time and it just isn't the same without her. The other people I see working there are okay but not overly friendly. A blonde girl behind the bar was working on one of my visits there but didn't seem to know an much about the ales on tap.
Never had a bad pint..very nice indeed. The Pale Ale is always very enjoyable.
I have eaten there a couple times with different people and it has always been good food.
Bring back the brewers daughter and all will be perfect with this place!
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Just happened accross this. Very nice- interior is a bit sparse, but clean and fresh, execellent choice of beer and food, friendly staff. Beer was in very good condition, and 10% discount for CAMRA members.
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A welcome addition to an area that is becoming a little gem for real ale fans. Nice beer, brilliant staff and a welcoming atmosphere. Good luck to them!
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Nice to see this operating as a traditional ale house again, good luck to them. The Brown Lion will need to up their game a bit if they are going to attract custom away from neighbours The Red Lion and Lord Clifden, I suppose the cheaper price range might help. The interior is somewhat minimalist, austere even, and I wasn't sure what type of drinker the BL is hoping to appeal to. When I called in on a late Sunday afternoon the only other punters seemed to be a sprinkling of regulars from the Wellington. Still, early days. On the plus side the service was good, with a nice range of locally brewed beers. If they can find an identity for themselves this is one to watch and I'll award it a cautious 7 if only for resisting being another UAB type pub that seem to be springing up rather tediously over the city.
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Live locally and went in the other day for first time. I've tried some of the 2 Towers ales before and always been fairly impressed so was looking forward to trying them at their birth place as it were!
Outside looks alot better then it did as Nicole's, though had some strange characters hanging around outside from the place next door Fusion, wouldn't fancy stumbling out of there late at night alone!
Inside is ok. Its clean though rather sparse and uninteresting. Toilets weren't the best though.
As for the ale, it was...ok. Not as good as i'd hoped, though cheapish (but bear in mind they make it themselves 5 mins away, you wouldn't expect it to be anything else!!).
Menu looked ok, didn't fancy anything off it though this time, may brave it another time. All in all, not overly impressed but better than Nicoles I guess! Hopefully will last a while and get better, but time will tell.
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Very enjoyable; decent beer, very friendly staff. Stumbled across the pub by chance; good luck to it.
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Fab, good selection of ales-mostly from the Two Towers but with at least one guest. Also has an excellent selection of bottled US and European beers. Staff are friendly and helpful and none of the beer was overpriced. We intending to maybe have one and escape to the Lord Cliftden if it was not good but we stayed.......
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I work not far from this pub & in recent years seen some changes that have not been so good. The pub at the moment is a bit sparce & more like a cafe, Hopefully this may change as it becomes more established. However it is a outlet for the Twon Towers beer. I found myself on Saturday whilst shoping in the City Centre bypassing other pubs to have a few pints of the Chamberlain Pale Ale.This area of Brum is fantastic for real ales.
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We visited this pub because we had heard they offered vegan food - this was excellent as was the beer, and the staff were really nice and friendly. The vegan chocolate fudge cake was especially nice and its not just for vegans (tho save us some pls :o)
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Went along to the opening night and had a wonderful time. Was hooked on the ale...so good I went back over the weekend and had another wonderful night. Fab bar staff and excellent ale...hope the food will be good too! Will return soon!
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Went along with some friends as we all knew Joe from the Welly. Thought the pub itself was quite pleasant although the decor was a bit spartan. Wasn't very impressed with the beers I had in there but I had just been drinking Bathams best so maybe that coloured my view somewhat? All being weel Joe is on to a winner here as its in a prime location right next to some upmarket apartments and it seemed like the residents had already adapted it as their local. Will be interesting to go back in 6 months or a year to see if it's still as popular?
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Went to the opening day (19th) of this revamped pub to see what it was like and to give support to my friend Joe who is the new manager and because he used to work in The Wellington knows all about real ales. As the Two Towers brewery now own the pub it sold their beers � 2 milds, a stout, a bitter and a pale ale plus one guest beer (Shropshire Gold). Can�t say I was totally excited about the choice but had a pint of the Chamberlain Pale Ale which turned out to be a nice pint and was a bargain at �2.70. Discovered that if you are a card carrying CAMRA member you get 10p off a pint. The bar is in the centre of the pub so there was plenty of room and there was a small covered smoker�s area at the back (just off the toilet corridor) and the pub sells bar snacks and hot meals. At the time the pub was still being decorated so still looked half finished, but overall a nice little pub and a welcome addition to a Jewellery Quarter pub crawl.
P.S. Just like The Wellington, the pub does not sell run of the mill lager such as Carling but sells proper lager like Staropramen.
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According to CAMRA, it is shortly to reopen as the Brown Lion again (so let's hope BITE don't belatedly change it). Apparently it will be the brewery tap for the city's Two Towers brewery. Should be an improvement on its past incarnation.
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this place hasn't been called the Brown Lion for about 6 or so years. It became Nicoles and is currently closed last I heard,
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