Campaign for Real Ale announces the best pubs in the West Midlands - here are the highlights

Sedgley, near Dudley, has five entries in the latest edition of the Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) Good Beer Guide, four of them new for 2026.

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The Mount Pleasant - locally known as The Stump - in Sedgley High Street, makes a welcome return to the guide, after a year's absence, along with fellow new entries The Clifton in the Bull Ring, the Swan Inn in Gospel End Street, and the Bull's Head in Bilston Street, while the Beacon Hotel retains its place.

The new guide features a total of 4,509 pubs across the UK, 897 of them new for the latest edition - and 67 of these in the West Midlands.

But Camra chairman Ash Corbett-Collins noted that 36 of the pubs features in last year's guide - including Wheelie Thirsty in Old Hill - have closed over the past year. Both pubs have since reopened under new management, the latter now known as The Old Bank.

The UK has lost 149 breweries over the past 12 months, with a dozen of these in the West Midlands. 

Mr Corbett-Collins warned that the forthcoming Budget could be the Chancellor's last opportunity to halt the decline of the beer and pub trade resulting from last year's tax hikes.

“This really is a make-or-break budget for the Chancellor," he said.

"It’s time for the Government to decide if they’re pro pubs and independent brewers, or if they are going to reign over the demise of the great British Pub. Consumers want decisive action to get independent beers onto bars and allow pubs to thrive."

Mr Corbett-Collins said this year’s guide was a testament to the remarkable resilience of publicans.

"They're continuing to achieve excellence and choice for consumers despite a backdrop of sky-high tax bills and a lack of action from government. "The Chancellor needs to use the upcoming Budget to slash the tax burden on pubs, including VAT, duty and National Insurance contributions.”

It was a particularly strong showing for the Dudley area this year, with a total of nine new entries, including the four in Sedgley.

Other new listings for 2026 include The Bell in Brierley Hill, The Old Bull's Head in Lower Gornal, The Old Swan - better known as Ma Pardoe's - in Netherton, Pens Ale in Pensnett, and Weavers Real Ale House in Stourbridge.

John Corser, chairman of the Dudley and South Staffordshire Camra branch, said the district had a total of 26 entries in this year's edition. The branch's reigning pub of the year, The Vine - better known as the Bull & Bladder - in Brierley Hill, retains its place, along with the nearby Rose & Crown. 

In Wordsley, past winner The Bird in Hand retains its place alongside the New Inn.

In Dudley town centre, The Malt Shovel and The Lamp Tavern make the guide once more, while The Jolly Crispin and The Britannia in Upper Gornal, and The Old Bull's Head and The Fountain in Lower Gornal, also keep their places.

The Hop Station in Aldridge is also a new entry for the latest guide, along with the Pretty Bricks in Walsall.

Walsall town centre has a total of six entries, with the Black Country Arms, the Fountain, Victoria, Walsall Arms, and Walsall Cricket Club all retaining their places. 

New entries in Staffordshire include the Bod cafe in Weeping Cross, Stafford, the Clifford Arms in Great Haywood, the Plaza in Rugeley, the Red Lion in Great Chatwell, and the Royal Oak in Stonall. The Plough and Harrow, better known as The Steps, in Kinver is also new for 2026, joining The Cross.   

In Wolverhampton, old favourites the Great Western and the Chindit retain their places, along with the Lych Gate, Posada and Royal Oak in Chapel Ash. Venturing out of the city centre, micropubs Hail to the Ale in Claregate - whose previous customers include Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer - and the Keg & Comfort in Oxley also feature.

In West Bromwich, the Royal Oak and Three Horseshoes keep their places, while up the road in Oldbury, The Old Blue Ball and The Olde Leathern Bottle are both praised for their historic interiors.