Guide for real ale fans

Real ale lovers are toasting the launch of a new guide to pubs in the heart of the Black Country.

The region is famed for its pubs and draws in drinkers from far and wide – and the Dudley Real Ale Trail Guide is crammed full of the 30 best boozers in the borough to get the perfect pint.

The new guide has been put together by the Dudley and Stourbridge Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) group and Dudley Council.

It lists pubs alphabetically across the borough and details opening times, a list of real ales and guest beers and even directions and bus routes of how to get there. There is also a helpful key of facilities at each pub including car parking, access for people with disabilities, pub games, outdoor eating areas and family rooms.

Dudley Camra chairman Stan Stephens said it was the second edition of the Dudley Real Ale Trail Guide after the first was launched two years ago.

He said: "It ties in very closely with The Good Beer Guide but obviously that is Black Country-wide whereas this is limited to just Dudley.

"We look at the quality of the ale, the atmosphere, all of the factors really that make up a good pub. But I suppose it probably is the ale that is critically important."

Mr Stephens said it was difficult whittling it down to a final list of 30. "We have a few new pubs on there from last time, such as The Bridge in Kingswinford, The Fox & Grapes in Pensnett and Windsor Castle Inn in Lye, while a couple of others are not so good as last time and have dropped out.

"We have been giving the guides out at the Winter Ales Fayre and the reaction just walking round and listening to people has been fantastic. People from all over the country have been picking them up and they tell me the guides are a real help, particularly to those from outside the area."

Dudley Council leisure boss Councillor Charles Fraser Macnamara said he hoped the launch of the guide would boost tourism by encouraging more people to come to Dudley and enjoy a pint of real ale.

For more information on the guide log on to www.dudleycamra.org.uk