BITE user comments - Andythebaggie
Comments by Andythebaggie
Visiting this pub again after an abscence of several years, I have been generally impressed by the improvements. The young bar staff seem to look after the beer well.
The beer comes mainly from regional brewers, although the local favourite Batham's bitter is always on. Recent visits have seen Hobgoblin (rare in these parts) Black Sheep Bitter, and London pride. There are normally between 3-5 brews on the hand pulls during midweek.
The lounge is comfortable, with relaxed lighting and 2 real fires, while the bar is more basic (major sporting events are shown on the big screen).
Not much food on, but tasty cobs made from a cheesey bread are avaliable and good value.
Overall a good relaxed and friendly pub to go to for an early evening beverage, the pub has a decent sized car park, however this always seems busy "early doors".
5 Mar 2010 10:53
As good as ever!
The Beacon never disappoints. Mild as good as ever and you sometimes get 2 guest beers on now as well now (that is if you can get past the Sarah Hughes beers). Always a sight to see the majority of drinkers having the mild. The cheese cobs are amazingly tasty too....
What a classic pub
3 Dec 2009 09:02
The landlord Tim has returned Ma Pardoes to its previous position as one of the best pubs in the black country.
You have a classic building (especially the bar) humourous staff and customers, excellent Olde Swan beers brewed on site, always served in good condition, and also very good quality and reasonably priced food (try the gammon or scampi).
Difficult to beat!!
3 Dec 2009 08:50
One of the best pubs for real ale in the Black Country, the beer range and quality is fantastic, with often up to 12 on and frequently several over 5%
for example Thornbridge Jaipur IPA on my last visit.
There is a small discount on your pint if you show your camra card when ordering.
Posh the pub ain't, but the carvery (thur-sun only) is absolutely superb!
Can't believe average rating of only 7.
Pub can be very busy, close to metro and bus stations.
3 Dec 2009 08:41
The Windsor Castle serves the full range of Sadlers beers, and the beer quality is always spot on. There is rarely a guest beer on these days, but there is enough variation here for most, with the Mellow Yellow and the Mud City Stout standing out as classic brews.
The pub can get very busy at weekends with the majority of the seating reserved for diners.
Fantastic beer and next to the Lye's Balti houses, parking can be tricky (beware of clampers) but well close to Lye train station.
Overall a great pub
3 Dec 2009 08:29
The Shovel has an excellent range of bitters, with ten beers on the handpulls not an unusual sight. Beer quality is always good and occasionally you get special offers (recently Bishops Finger �1 a pint!).
There are usually 2 enville beers on and Broughs IPA.
There is a wide range of guests, on last visit for example wadworths spearfish (a rare sight in these parts).
The locals are friendly, and a large tv shows sporting events.
The pub is handy for Lye station, but there is no car park.
Not open lunchtimes escept Sunday when you can get an excellent values Luncheon.
3 Dec 2009 08:20
The Church Tavern, Quarry Bank
This pub seems to have picked up again judging by a recent visit. 5 real ales on including Enville, 3 beers tried all in good nick.
The music was rock orientated, and the amusing locals are the same as ever.
3 Dec 2009 08:11
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!
3 Dec 2009 08:08
The Vine (Bull & Bladder), Brierley Hill
The bull and bladder continues to be classic example of an old fashioned black country boozer.
The pub is always busy, and the landlord Mel and his staff provide good quality beer and good value weekday luncheon food.
A real classic, not to be missed if in the area.
Note; Bathams pubs do not serve guest ales, but the house Bitter, Mild and if you are lucky in the winter the xxx are all great beers.
Boing Boing!
3 Dec 2009 07:58
The Thorns is a classic place to go to eat, the carvery in particular being excellent value.
Beer wise it is sadly all keg, Bankss mild, bitter and curiously mansfield smooth. This is a shame as the pub is very busy, and I am sure they would have enough punters who would enjoy some real ale.
There is lots of entertainment in the evening here also, tribute acts etc.
3 Dec 2009 07:50
The Old Hop Pole, West Bromwich
The old Hop Pole is at present one of the better places to drink real ale in West Brom especially at the week end where there tends to be 3 ales on usually including Wye Valley HPA and Hop Back Summer Lightning.
As an old Holts, plant & Deakin pub it has a traditional feel, although there are flat screen TV's for sport.
Visiting for the first time this season the pub was busy, but not that crowded that you had to wait long at the bar.
No food but cobs and bar snacks avaliable.
A good pub to visit before home West Brom matches as it is close to the metro line.
16 Sep 2009 07:52
Back to Andythebaggie's profile
Hunters Lodge, Priddy
Recently visited for first time whilst on holiday in the area.
What a classic pub, the beers tried Cheddar Ales potholer and Butcombe served straight from the barrel in excellent nick.
Fine simple pub food (cobs, cauliflower cheese etc) and good value for the area.
A real unspoilt interior, hardly changed since at least the 60's, well worth a visit if you are in the area.
18 Jul 2010 11:03