The Good Beer Guide 2007 goes on sale today.
Mark Andrews looks at which pubs in our area made it - and which missed out.
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With no mention of Ma Pardoes, but a Wetherspoons in Wolverhampton listed, there are plenty of surprises in the latest edition of the Good Beer Guide, which goes on sale today.
The new 2007 guide lists what it considers the best 4,500 pubs in the UK, all of which have been inspected by experts from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).
With 112 pubs in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton, North Worcestershire and South and Mid-Staffordshire, the discerning beer lover should have no problem finding somewhere to quench their thirst.
The pubs are chosen primarily for the quality of their beer, but reference is also made to historic or architectural interest and atmosphere.
“I like the smaller, homelier pubs, with a friendly atmosphere and helpful staff,” says chairman of Camra’s Wolverhampton branch, Dave Powell.
The guide describes Sedgley and the surrounding villages as an area of real ale excellence.
Some people may be surprised by the inclusion of Moon Under Water, the JD Wetherspoon pub in Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, but Mr Powell says the award is well deserved.
“In previous years its beer quality has been a little up and down, and its service a little bit lacking, but it’s improved quite a lot.
“I have been in a few times, and the quality of the beer I have had has been good, as has the service.”
The chain converted the former Co-op store in 1995, and special mention is given to its pictures of old Wolverhampton on the walls.
The Hog’s Head in nearby Stafford Street is also listed. The pub, with its superb terracotta exterior, was known as The Vine between 1889 and 1984, but was closed for 14 years before reopening as the Hog’s Head in 1998.
Mr Powell says there is no reason why pubs operated by the major chains should not be included in the guide, and says one thing they do offer the real ale buff is choice, with a range of different beers usually on offer.
“There are a lot of smaller breweries around these days, real ale fans want to try these different beers.”
He says many of the smaller pubs, such as the White Rose in Bilston, also meet this need by constantly rotating the beers on offer.
Old favourites The Great Western in Sun Street, the Newhampton in Riches Street, The Combermere in Chapel Ash and the Tap & Spile in Princess Street are all included.
The guide praises the new management at The Posada in Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, for revitalising the historic pub with its imposing frontage and tiny alcoves.
A well-deserved mention goes to the Mount Pleasant in Sedgley, more commonly known as The Stump, which lay empty for several years before being lovingly restored.
“This Gornal stone brick and timber-faced pub has rapidly established a fine reputation in this area of real ale excellence,” says the guide, which praises the coal-burning stoves in both the front and back rooms.
The historic Beacon Hotel and Bulls Head in Sedgley both retain their places, as does the Park Inn in the neighbouring village of Woodsetton.
The Severn Valley Railway does well, with its pubs at Bridgnorth and Kidderminster stations both listed.
The Garibaldi pub is described as Stourbridge’s best kept secret. “It can be hard to find, but the welcome you will receive makes the effort worthwhile.”
The pub has been run for the last 12 months by Mark and Emma Wheeler, and Mark said he was delighted to feature in the guide for the second year running.
“You can have 10 good pints but it only takes one bad pint to spoil the reputation, so it’s good we have been able to maintain our beer at a consistently good level,” says Mark.
At just three years old, Arbor Lights in Walsall is one of the newest pubs in the guide, and is praised for its food and choice of real ales.
At the other end of the age scale, the Olde Leathern Bottel in Wednesbury can trace its history back to 1510, and reference is made to the old photographs displayed throughout, as well as the good value food.
The 1950s-style decor is given special mention in the listing for the Plough in George Road, Warley.
It is the first time The Old Swan in Netherton, better known as Ma Pardoes, has failed to make the guide since it reopened in 1998. Stan Stephens of Camra’s Dudley & South Staffordshire branch said the standard of beer at rival pubs meant Ma Pardoes - Camra’s West Midlands Pub of the Year in 2004 - could not be included.
Also missing out is the Jolly Crispin in Upper Gornal, where the previous guide was launched 12 months ago.
The breweries section includes many new emerging breweries coming out of the region in recent years, including Black Country Ales in Gornal, Kinver Brewery which was launched at the 2004 Dudley Winter Ales Fair, Enville Ales and Windsor Castle from Lye.
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