We visited a Black Country micropub featured in the Good Beer Guide and full of friendly faces
This Black County micropub offers a warm and friendly welcome, thanks to owners who have worked hard to build a devoted following.
The idea of a micropub is an attractive one: opening whenever is convenient to the owners and being able to provide whatever drinks they want behind the bar, due to not being linked to any brewery.
However, it can be a challenge for those looking to take on running a micropub to build up trade and repeat custom.
It's a challenge which the owners of Pens Ale in Pensnett faced when opening the venue in September 2021, with a pub having been there before, as well as having been used by the neighbouring fish and chip shop.
Owner Mitch Wehrle and his team have dedicated a lot of time to creating a smart, plush, modern open-plan bar which has a lot of the same effects and fixtures as its sister pub Tivi Ale, managed by Mitch's wife Leanne.
Inside, the bar has a prominent position near the front door, with an area for playing darts, plus seating areas spread around the pub, which was named in the Good Beer Guide 2026.
Emma Cownley works as supervisor at the pub, having joined five months after opening, and said its locality was key for her.
