Historic pubs, popular locals and unique buildings among pubs from across West Midlands named on list of top English pubs
Some of the the best and most historic, unique, popular and prominent pubs from the Black Country have been featured on a list of the top 500 pubs from across England.
Nine pubs from the Black Country have been named on the Daily Telegraph's 500 Best Pubs in England list, created by pub expert Will Hawkes.
The nine were the Vine Inn in Brierley Hill, the Beacon Hotel in Sedgley, the Vine in West Bromwich, the Old Swan Inn in Netherton, the Great Western in Wolverhampton, the Unicorn in Wollaston, the Fountain Inn in Walsall, the Robin Hood Inn in Amblecote and the Manor Arms in Rushall.
These pubs along with nine in Birmingham, have each been given a review of what makes them notable by Mr Hawkes based on his travels round the country.
"I’ve written about pubs for more years than I care to recall, and have developed strong opinions about what makes a great one. Atmosphere, of course; fixtures and fittings that engender warmth, happiness and cosiness; good beer, particularly cask ale; and a sense of place.
"Of great importance too, I think, is that the cost of entry should be the cost of a drink."
For the Vine, he wrote that the pub was handsome and good value, as well as being attached to one of England's great old breweries in Batham's.
"I once had the good fortune to look around the brewery itself, which makes up in down-to-earth charm what it lacks in mod-cons.
"It says everything about Bathams beer that this is one of the few breweries that still sends beer out in Hogsheads, which contain 432 pints.
"The pub’s facade is inscribed with the Shakespearian line, ‘Blessing of your heart, you brew good ale’."
For the Beacon Hotel, he wrote that the atmosphere and the very popular Sarah Hughes Ruby Mild were the big reasons why his friends enjoyed the pub, as well as the Victorian interior.
"Drinkers come from far further than Kidderminster to taste this famous beer at the source, and to experience a Black Country pub that doesn’t feel like it’s changed much since the Victorian era.
"The interior consists of four rooms, drinks are served from hatches in the main corridor and the beer is made in the tower brewery behind the pub."
The Vine in West Bromwich he wrote that it was among the best Desi Pubs in the Black Country by Mr Hawkes, as well as being somewhere you can eat or just have a pint.
"The food is very good (a mixed grill, featuring chicken tikka, methi tikka and more, is obligatory for carnivores), there’s cask ale, and the extension job that has turned a tiny street-corner pub into a spacious, airy venue has to be seen to be believed.
If you want, you can just sit and have a pint; no tables are pre-laid, there are no assumptions made about food."
The historic Old Swan, Ma Pardoes to the locals, was praised for its authentically Victorian feeling and for the beer being brewed on site.
"If you’re a nerd for historic pub interiors like me, the Old Swan, known as Ma Pardoes by locals, after a former landlady, is a real classic.
"You can imagine my disappointment, then, when I visited only to find the historic front bar was closed.
"Luckily, when I asked, the bar-lady gave me a tour, which allowed me to get a good long look at the marvellous enamel ceiling, featuring a Swan, in the public bar."
The Great Western was praised for being a great place for beer lovers, being perhaps the only place where Batham's and Holden's beers were both on sale.
"For beer lovers, there’s only one way out of Wolverhampton Station: down Corn Hill, under the railway bridge and into the Great Western.
"Other Black Country staples, like cheese and onion cobs on the bar, friendly staff, comfortable seating, are also present and correct."
The Unicorn was described as being small, cosy and characteristic of the whole Black Country.
"Stourbridge might be out on the fringes of the Black Country, but the atmosphere in the Unicorn couldn’t be more characteristic of the region as a whole.
"Expect robust and often entertaining conversation, filled cobs (roast pork on Saturdays), and a deep sense of contentment."
The Fountain Inn in Walsall was described as being unflashy and great fun.
"Unflashy, warm, good value, great fun, like the monthly ‘Back to Basics’ vinyl nights, when drinkers can bring their favourite records to be played.
"This family-run Walsall stalwart is also rightly known for the quality of its cask ale, another thing I’ve come to associate with this part of the world."
The Robin Hood Inn was described as cosy and with perhaps the best atmosphere in Amblecote.
"This is probably the best of the town’s pubs in terms of atmosphere and beer, which is invariably in peak condition.
"Amblecote was once known for its glass, and there are still reminders of that tradition in the town, but the native specialty now appears to be cosy pubs offering excellent beer.
Finally, the Manor Arms was praised for being a different type of pub, having no bar, and having a deeper connection between staff and customers.
"This Canalside pub was converted from a family home in the late 19th century to serve workers on the nearby Rushall Canal, but they forswore to install a bar. No matte. Beers are served from the back wall and the lack of separation between staff and customers gives it a special atmosphere."
