Midland, Bearwoodback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Six months on and this pub is dying a death, great choice of ales but the funeral parlour up the road has more life.
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Walked in tonight for a pint, 8 people max, stood at the bar while the manager was playing with his phone, walked out, the only bigger idiot than him is the person who employed him.
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Good pub if your an ale lover, generally good crowd gets in here, staff good, managers an idiot.
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I'm really not sure about this one. The beer was fine and the service adequate but as another reviewer commented, there was an unfriendly air to the place that I couldn't put my finger on. Unsociable, yes. Missed opportunity, definitely. I usually like BCA pubs and they've done more for real ale in the region than anyone else in the past thirty years but this one just doesn't do it for me.
Then, when I got home I realised I'd had a 20 cent piece worked off in my change instead of a pound coin. Probably not the barman's fault but it summed the place up.
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Another quality Black Country Ales Pub.
13 Hand Pulls On and a Menu (+ colour indicator bottles) to help you choose.
Decent music on.
Friendly Locals.
I really liked this place and the 3rd BCA Pub I have been to. None have disappointed.
Photos at my walking Blog - Story and Photos at my [blog](http://mappiman.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/060616-outer-circle-route-11-stage-2.html)
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An impressive (or intimating) bank of 15 or so ale choices with the ones I sampled kept in fine fettle. There my recommendations end as this high ceilinged pub formerly a branch of Midland Bank had a decidedly lifeless, unsociable atmosphere with tables occupied by groups encased in their own seal proof bubbles and solitary drinkers either glowering or staring into space. The service although efficient was brusque, even curt, and there was something depressing about the general ambience. It felt like a missed opportunity but at least the Midland offers a decent pint. Although I tried hard to find more merit with the pub, 5/10 is the best I can score it.
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Was here on 31st October, after also visiting the Bear Tavern in Bearwood too. This is an old Midland Bank and now a pub owned by Black Country Ales. It is not the biggest space and you can see through to the cellar at the rear. Bar staff were knowledgeable. The ale range was Derventio Gold, Coastal Cornish Cascade, Hydes Original, Backyard Blonde, Black Country Pig on the Wall, BFG & Fireside, Byatts Mighty Rose & Urban Red, The Beer Studio Spicy Santiam, Community Brewing Pothole Porter, Belhaven Howell At The Moon & Spitting Feathers Smoked Autumn. Ciders were Thistly Cross Whisky Cask & Kentish Pip Fire Spiced. Clientele were typical real ale drinking types (although I'm probably one too). A good pub. But I'm not sure if I'll find myself in Bearwood too often.
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if your a complete ale lover this place is for you. Beardy old blokes (I`m not quite there yet) needn`t bother finding another pub it`s here. This is in no way a criticism, if I was in Bearwood it`d be a must visit and if you want peace and quiet the Bear Tavern up the road is not the place for you! Bear Tavern - loud, busy footie pub but with some nice beers and the food is pukka...visit both, pubs need us!
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Very much a middle aged male pub, with a smattering of Camra types with beards and beer bellys. No music or TV, but a very wide ranging choice of beers. The Bear, a few doors away, has a much better mix of customers.
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massive range of well kept ales as you'd expect from a black country ales pub, but with high ceilings (former bank) and cheapish fittings it has the soulless feel of a miniature wetherspoons - but don't don't let that put you off
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