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Sharmans Cross in Solihull
Thu 14 Aug: Pedigree[3.5], Bass, the Landlord was off but the pump clip was not.

White Swan in Henley in Arden
Wed 13 Aug: Jennings Cumberland [2] & Adnams Broadside (& Black Sheep Bitter not on)

Nags Head in Henley in Arden
Wed 13 Aug: Theakstons Bitter [1.5] & Wells Bombardier

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Wed 13 Aug: Guest ales on today are Spinning Dog Herefordshire Old Bull (3.9%) [3] and Nethergate Augustinian (4.5%) [3.5]. Also are the regulars: Greene King IPA and Abbot, Marstons Pedigree and Purity UBU. There is another Wetherspoons beer festival lined up for the second half of October with nearly 100 beers to choose from, so I was told by one of the staff.

Bernies Real Ale Off-Licence in Shirley
Wed 6 Aug: The Bernies legend continues - Church End Goat's Milk [4] Ossett Fine Fettle and a new citrus beer from Elland which was also very good [4] but I forget the name, as well as Taylor Landlord for those with more conservative tastes.

Red Lion in Earlswood
Wed 6 Aug: TT Landlord [3] & Everards Tiger.

Oak in Hockley Heath
Wed 6 Aug: Recently re-opened following change of ownership & refurb, no Real Ale [0] - at the moment, but handpumps & casks have been ordered.

Railway in Dorridge
Sun 3 Aug: Hancocks HB (3.6%) [3.5]. Butcombe Gold (4.2%) [3], Bass and M&B Brew XI. Also on was Weston's Old Rosie Scrumpy.

Wharf Tavern in Hockley Heath
Sun 3 Aug: No real ale available. Two handpumps had no clips and the other two had the clips turned round. Very disappointing [0].

Boat in Catherine-de-Barnes
Sat 2 Aug: Wells Bombardier (4.3%) [4] and Hobsons Bitter (3.8%) [3.5]. The Management team here is Chris, Claire and Adrian. The Bombardier is officially a 'guest' ale but in practice is a regular offering at present as Wells & Youngs have provided umbrellas for the beer garden. The third handpump is still out of use awaiting parts but when fixed will be used for the guest ale.

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Sat 2 Aug: Tom Woods Bomber County[4.5],Archers Crystal Clear[3.5], Phoenix Double Gold[3.5],UBU,Gold,Ped, GK IPA, plus whatever was upstairs

NBSS

Bernies in Shirley
Fri 1 Aug: Crown and Wellington: HPA (3.9%)[4]According to the Good Beer Guide, this beer is only available at the hotel where it is brewed in Sheffield. The good news is that this is not true - I recommend a trip to Bernies right away.

Wharf in Hockley heath
Sat 26 Jul: Milestone Lions Pride (3.8%) [4], Kinver Edge (4.2%) [3], Theakstons Best Bitter and Courage Directors.

Drum and Monkey in Solihull
Sun 27 Jul: Mordue (?)[2], Bateman's Jester IPA, Landlord, Stonehenge Pigswill [3], Bombardier,Hobson's Best.

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Thu 24 Jul: Caledonian Lorimer's Cask Lager, Bath Ales Gem (4.1%), Orkney Northern Light (4.0%) [4] - a bit "lively", plus the usual Marston's Pedigree, Greene King Abbot and IPA - and Purity Pure UBU and Pure Gold. Burton Bridge Burton XB Bitter was also on in the upstairs bar.

Red Lion in Earlswood
Tue 22 Jul: Everards Tiger & Timothy Taylor Landlord [3]

Winged Spur in Ullenhall
Mon 21 Jul: Abbot Ale and Sharp's Eden Pure Ale & Doom Bar [2.5]

Crab Mill in Preston Bagot
Tue 22 Jul: Tetley Bitter & Purity UBU [3]. (GK Abbot not available on my visit)

Bird in Hand in Beaudester nr Henley
Tue 22 Jul: Old Speckled Hen & Everards Tiger [2.5]

Bulls Head in Barston
Sun 20 Jul: Black Sheep Best Bitter [4], Adnam's Bitter, Hook Norton Old Hooky and Timothy Taylor Landlord.

Woodmans Rest in Solihull
Sat 19 Jul: Wyre Piddle Brewery Piddle in the Pub (4.1%) [3], York Brewery Guzzler (3.6%) [4]. Also on were Greene King IPA (@£1.89/pint), Greene King Abbot and Marston's Pedigree.

Drum & Monkey in Dorridge
Tue 8 Jul: Everards Sunchaser, Hobsons Town Crier, Hobsons Bitter [3], Thwaites Lancaster Bomber, Bombardier & Pedigree.

Bulls Head in Earlswood
Tue 8 Jul: Thwaites Lancaster Bomber & Thwaites Original [2] - bit too cold.

Fieldhouse in Monkspath
Thu 3 Jul: Wychwood Wychcraft (3.8%) [3.5]; Batemans Middle Wicket (4.4%) [2.5]; Wells Bombardier; Greene King Abbot Ale

Blue Bell Cider House in Warings Green
Thu 3 Jul: Theakston Lightfoot (4.1%) [3]; Weatheroak Liberty (4.4) [4]

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Wed 2 Jul: A fine choice of beers available today, viz: Salopian Lemon Dream (4.5%) [3.5], Church End Poacher's Pocket (3.5%), Banks & Taylor's SOS (5.0%), Wychwood Hobgoblin, Caledonian XPA (4.3%), Ramsbury Flint Knapper, Highgate Davenport's IPA, Greene King IPA and Abbot, plus Marston's Pedigree. Also available in the upstairs bar are Naylor's Sunset Ale and Everard's Sly Fox.

Griffin Inn in Church End, Shustoke
Sun 29 Jun: A beer festival was held here over the weekend of Friday 27th to Sunday 29th June inclusive. I visited at lunchtime on the Sunday and found virtually all the festival ales had sold out. However, the following were still on offer: Mole's Barley Mole (4.2%)[4], Thornbridge Jaipur IPA, Tunnel Brewery Boston Beer Party, Abbeydale Black Mass (6.7%)plus regulars RCH Pitchfork, Jennings Dark Mild, Hook Norton Old Hooky, Theakston's Old Peculier and Marston's Pedigree. Also of note is that the brewery behind the pub (original home of Church End Brewery) is back in production as Griffin Inn Brewery, with two of their offerings available at the festival: their first brew, called 'Ere It Is (4.5%), which had run out when I arrived, and Power Surge (5.8%) which was still available.

NBSS

Dog Inn in Nether Whitacre
Sun 29 Jun: This pub continues to impress with the quality of it's beers. On this occasion there was Tetley Dark Mild (this seems to have replaced M&B Mild now), Black Sheep Best Bitter, Wells Bombardier, Marston's Pedigree, Timothy Taylor Landlord and guest ale Wickwar Long John Silver (4.2%) [3.5].

Old Joint Stock in Birmingham
Sat 28 Jun: Beers from the Fuller's range on offer were Discovery [3.5], London Pride, Chiswick Bitter and ESB. There was also Beowulf Dark Raven available [3].

Red Lion in Shirley
Fri 27 Jun: Cottage: I can't believe it (4.1%) [3.5], sadly there was a probem with the CO2 cylinder, so the keg beer was off..... had to drink cask

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Wed 25 Jun: And still the Church End Brewery mini beer festival goes on! Those available today are Rest In Peace (7.0%), Vicar's Ruin, Altar Ale (3.6%) [3.5], Goat's Milk and What the Fox's Hat. Other beers on are: Ramsbury Flint Knapper, Greene King Abbot and IPA and Marstons Pedigree. In the upstairs bar there is also Naylors Sunset Ale and Badger First Gold.

Oak in Hockley Heath
Tue 24 Jun: 'Closed for refurbishment - opening soon'

White Lion in Hampton in Arden
Tue 24 Jun: Adnams Bitter [2.5], Brew XI, Hook Norton Hooky Bitter & Black Sheep Bitter

Winged Spur in Ullenhall
Tue 24 Jun: Slaters Top Totty [3], Cotleigh 25 & Ruddles Best

Fieldhouse in Solihull
Sat 21 Jun: Nethergate Vixen (3.9%) [4], Wychwood Left Back (4.0%)(both at £2.50/pint), Hook Norton Old Hooky, Greene King ABbot and M&B Brew XI.

Woodman's Rest in Shirley
Fri 20 Jun: Hydes Eager Beaver (4.4%) [3]; Wadworth Horizon (4.0%); Wychwood Left Back (4.0%). Roosters YPA coming soon.

The Arden Club in Solihull
Thu 19 Jun: Lancaster Bomber[4] £2.60/pint. Another hand pump but out of use.

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Wed 18 Jun: The Church End beer festival is still in full swing with the following available: R. Reg [3.5], Grave Diggers, Pews Porter, Cuthberts and Hop Gun. Also on are Highgate Davenports IPA, Highgate Old Ale, Greene King Abbot and Marstons Pedigree. The Greene King IPA had run out. In the upstairs bar there is Naylors Sunset Ale and Everards Sly Fox.

The Barn in Hockley Heath
Sun 15 Jun: No real ale available [0]. Pump clips on both hand pumps were turned backwards. Disappointing for a Fathers Day outing.

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Fri 13 Jun: Full list of Church End ales is R Reg [4], Cuthberts [3], Fallen Angel [2.5], Grave Digger [3] and Pews Porter [3]. More will be brought on as these run out.

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Fri 13 Jun: various Church End beers - R-reg was perhaps best - all good and £1.50/pint..... well worth making the effort to get there. Apparently they have some left and still cheap.

Horse & Jockey in Bentley
Sat 14 Jun: Although this pub is not in the Solihull branch area (it is near Atherstone) it is too good not to mention. Guest ales were Hop Back Spring Zing (4.2%) [4.5] - which finished shortly after tried it, and Moorhouse's Blonde Witch (4.5%) [4.5]. Also on were Bass, Everards Original and Weston's Old Rosie Scrumpy. The food is also very good here and is reasonably priced. A skittle alley is also available for hire (£6.95 per person, minimum 15 people - price includes a selected meal from the menu, e.g. Chicken & Chips). There is a beer festival planned for 5th to 7th September 2008.

Drum and Monkey in Dorridge
Sat 14 Jun: Sharpe's Eden[3], Town Crier[4], Bombardier [4], Pedigree, Landlord.

White Swan in Solihull
Fri 13 Jun: Guest ale today is Titanic Nautical Mild [4]. Also on are Greene King Abbot, Purity Pure UBU and Marstons Pedigree.

Municipal Club in Shirley
Thu 12 Jun: Greene King IPA, Hook Norton Hookey Gold[4] £2.30/pint

Bull's Head in Earlswood
Tue 10 Jun: Thwaits Bitter & Lancaster Bomber [4]. The third ale had just expired and a new barrel was on the way.

Red Lion in Knowle
Wed 11 Jun: Nethergate Vixen [3], Oakham JHB, Hydes Eager Beaver, Old Hooky, Brew X1, London Pride

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Sat 7 Jun: Inveralmond Threapledouser [4], Highgate Old Ale amongst others. Festival of Church End Beers on from Friday 13th, and other local ale festivals planned for each month.

Rowington Club in Rowington
Fri 6 Jun: Church End Hop Gun [4], Rudgate Battleaxe as well as the 2 regular beers.

Red House in Solihull
Wed 11 Jun: Thwaites Original & Thwaites Lancaster Bomber [3]

Greville Arms in Solihull
Wed 11 Jun: Tetley Bitter, Pedigree & Tim Taylor Landlord [3]

Boat in Catherine-de-Barnes
Sun 8 Jun: Wells Bombardier [4] and Hobson's Bitter [4].

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Wed 4 Jun: Guest ales today are: Anker Bruin and Palm (both from Belgium), Highgate Old Ale, Davenport's Export and Original, Inveralmond Thrappledouser (4.2%) [3] plus Naylors's Sunset Ale in the upstairs bar. Also on are the usual Purity Pure UBU, Marston's Pedigree, Greene King Abbot and IPA.

Boat in Catherine-de-Barnes
Mon 2 Jun: All three handpumps now back in use. Wells Bombardier (which looked in good nick), Elgood's Double Swan, which finished whilst I was there but was still drinkable to the last, and the regular Hobson's Bitter [3.5].

Boat in Catherine-de-Barnes
Sun 1 Jun: Guest beer is Elgood's Double Swan, again in very good condition [4.5]. Hobson's Bitter also available. For the second Sunday in succession, have enjoyed very good food at this pub and excellent service into the bargain!

Falcon in Hatton
Sat 31 May: Seems to be a Marstons pub now:- Pedigree,Banks Bitter, Jenning's Yan T'yan...[3]

Red Lion in Shirley
Sun 1 Jun: Cottage Brewing: Silver Ghost (5%) [3.5] and they had a different 4% Cottage beer on yesterday.

NBSS

The Bulls Head in Wooten Wawen
Sat 31 May: Bateman's XXXB [3] and good food too

Rowington Club in Rowington
Sat 31 May: Wye Valley HPA 4% [4.5] and a lot cheaper than other places nearby.

The Boot in Lapworth
Fri 30 May: Hobgoblin [3] at £3.10 per pint

Bass museum in Burton on Trent
Wed 28 May: Worthington micro brewery. Worthington White Shield [5], St Modwen [4], Worthinton `E`(!)[4]

The Brewery Tap in Brewey Museum, Burton Upon Trent
Wed 28 May: WHITE SHIELD BREWERY BEERS: 'St. Modwen' (4.2%) [4], 'The Brewery Tap' (4.5%) [3.5], 'White Shield' (5.6%) [3.5], 'Worthington E' (4.8%) [4.5]

Drawbridge in Majors Green
Fri 30 May: Moorhouses Black Cat Mild [3 ***May is Mild Month***], Morland Tanners Jack, Wells Bombardier, Courage Directors.

Masons Arms in Solihull
Fri 30 May: Bass and Black Sheep Best Bitter [3.5]. It was pleasing to note the sign behind the bar which states "If you think the head on your pint is too big, a member of staff will gladly top it up for you".

Brewery Tap in Brewey Museum, Burton upon Trent
Wed 28 May: White Shield Brewery brews. St Modwen (4.2%) - soon possibly Coors new Red Shield (4.2%) of the future, The Brewey Tap(?) & two others, Also Worthington E poured straight from the cask (4.8%)[4.5].

Brewery Tap - White Shield in Burton-upon-Trent
Wed 28 May: Worthington E [5]

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Wed 28 May: O'Hanlon's Port Stout (4.8%), Hobson's Mild (3.2%)[2.5], Mordue Workie Ticket, Highgate Davenport's Original Bitter, Marston's Old Empire and Pedigree, Greene King IPA and Abbot, Purity Pure Gold and Pure UBU.

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Wed 28 May: O'Hanlon's Port Stout, Hobson's Mild [2.5], Mordue Workie Ticket, Highgate Davenport's Original Bitter, Marston's Old Empire and Pedigree, Greene King IPA and Abbot, Purity Pure Gold and Pure UBU.

Drum & Monkey in Dorridge
Tue 27 May: Hobson's Best [4], Hobson's Town Crier, Timothy Taylor Landlord Bitter, Marston's Pedigree, Marston's Merrie Monk, Courage Directors. Town Crier is to be replaced by Charles Wells Bombardier soon.

Boat in Catherine-de-Barnes
Sat 24 May: Hobson's Bitter [3.5] and guest ale Adnam's Regatta [5] in absolutely fabulous form!

The Shakespeare Inn in Welford upon Avon
Sat 24 May: The whole of Stratford and the surrounding area is dry according to the GBG. Good news, new owners here have changed that. Nice small pub with a beer garden, on a quiet road. Good food and cask marque too. Purity UBU and Hook Norton Bitter [3] (and a warm welcome)

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Thu 22 May: Guests are Beartown Black Bear Mild (5%) [3.5 - May is Mild Month], Hobson's Mild, Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted, and Butcombe Gold, plus Mordue Workie Ticket "coming soon". Regulars are Greene King IPA and Abbot, Marston's Pedigree and Purity Pure UBU. In the upstairs bar, Clark's No Angel is also available.

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Wed 21 May: Among others: Butcombe Gold [4], Hobsons Mild [4 ***May is Mild Month***], Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted [2.5], Beartown Black Bear [2.5]

Fieldhouse in Solihull
Sun 18 May: Highgate Bee Zone (4.0%), Sharp's Eden Ale (4.3%) [4], Bateman's Maypole Dancer (4.4%) [4], Wells Bombardier (all at £2.50/pint) and M&B Brew XI (at £1.79/pint).

White Swan in Henley in Arden
Sat 17 May: Adnams Broadside [3.5], Black Sheep Bitter & Hook Norton Hooky Bitter

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Fri 16 May: Guest ales "just gone on today" are: Hanby Cascade, Skinner's Betty Stogs (4.0%), Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted and Beartown Black Bear (5.0%), all in the downstairs bar. Also on were Grainstore Rutland Panther Mild [4 ***May is Mild Month***], Purity Pure UBU, Marston's pedigree, Greene King Abbot and IPA. In the upstairs bra were the Marstons, Greene King and Purity offerings, plus Clark's No Angel (4.0%). The regular beers are selling at £1.79/pint with the guests at £1.99/pint.

Golden Acres in Damsonwood
Tue 13 May: Springhead Charlie's Angel (4.5%) [3.5]; Cottage Jurassic Bark (just gone)

Reservoir in Earlswood
Tue 13 May: Old Speckled Hen & Courage Best [2.5]

Old Royal Oak in Wood End
Tue 13 May: Adnams Broadside & Brew XI [2]

Boat in Catherine-de-Barnes
Sun 11 May: Hobson's Bitter and Elgood's Double Swan (4.5%) [4]. Only two handpumps working at present, the 3rd is still out of commission. Hobson's Bitter is the regular offering now - the Double Swan was in superb condition.

The Vaults in Knowle
Fri 9 May: RCH Double Header (5.3%) [3.5]

Fieldhouse in Monkspath
Thu 8 May: Old Mill St George (4.2%) [2]; Beartown Kodiak Gold (4.0%) [3.5]; Woodforde's Wherry (3.8%) [4]

White Lion in Hampton in Arden
Thu 8 May: Adnams The Bitter (3.7%) [3]; Black Sheep Best Bitter (3.8%) [3.5]

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Sun 11 May: (Among others:) Hanby Cascade [3.5], Grainstore Rutland Panther Mild [3 *** May is Mild Month ***], Stonehenge Pigswill [2]

Golden Acres in Solihull
Thu 8 May: Cottage Jurassic Bark, Black Sheep Bitter & Slaters Premium [3.5]

Highwood in Olton
Thu 8 May: Shepherd Neame Spitfire [2.5] - on in Lounge only, no sign of it in the Bar so make sure you ask.

Hobs Meadow in Olton
Thu 8 May: Ruddles County & Highgate Dark Mild [3 *** May is Mild Month ***]

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Thu 8 May: A great selection! Grainstore Rutland Panther [4], Otter Bright, Brewsters Rutterkin, Sonehenge Pigswill, Saltaire Cascade Pale, Purity Pure UBU, Greene King IPA and Abbot plus Marston's Pedigree.

Assembly Rooms in Solihull
Mon 5 May: No fewer than 11 ales! Grainstore Rutland Panther (3.4%) [3.5], Saltaire Cascade Pale (4.8%) [4.5], Stonehenge Pigswill (4.0%), Otter Bright (4.3%), Brewster's Rutterkin (4.6%), Clark's No Angel (4.0%), Purity Pure Gold (3.8%), Purity Pure UBU (4.5%), Marston's Pedigree, Greene King IPA and Abbott.

Harvester in Olton
Sun 4 May: Cottage Brewery Whippet of Oz 3.9% [3], Salopian Lemon Dream 4.3% [3], Woods Shropshire Lad 4.5% [4].

NBSS

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