Inns in the Spotlight...

Important note - the articles in this archive span a couple of years. Please bear in mind that some of the details may changed over time. Many of the pubs described in these articles also have an entry in the Online Pub Guide.

The Bull's Head

As any dedicated connoisseur of real ale will vouch, surroundings are just as crucial to the drinking experience as the contents of your glass. After all, even the best-kept beers won't taste at their best if served in a sterile themepub against a cacophony of jukebox pop and slot-machine clatter.

No wonder, then, that the Solihull & District branch of the Campaign for Real Ale chose the Bull's Head on Barston Lane, Barston, as the venue for its annual general meeting on Monday, 13 November. Martin "Brad" Bradley and his wife Joy will shortly be notching up their twentieth year serving the village, with a regular listing in CAMRA's annual Good Beer Guide.

"We're a traditional village pub," Brad told me, adding a reassuring "no music, no machines" for good measure. Brews currently on tap in the oak-beamed bar include Adnam's Broadside (ABV 4.7%), Wye Valley Dorothy Goodbody's, Hook Norton's Hooky Bitter (3.6%) and Jennings Cumberland Ale (4.2%).

Toby Jugg , Feb 06

The Bull's Head

The Bull's Head in Barston started as a coaching Inn around 1490, and is still catering for passing trade today, where it is a popular stopping off point for ramblers.

The building itself is Grade-II listed, and has over the years been extended, but without losing its charm. Upstairs in the private accommodation, which is part of the original building there is still a priest hole, although no ghosts have ever been reported. The Inn is situated on what used to be the main road from Birmingham to Coventry. Martin Bradley (known as "Brad" to many) and his wife Joy have been in residence here for the last 18 years, after moving from the Wilson's Arms in Knowle. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and you almost feel like you've walked into someone's front room as you enter the lounge. Scattered around the room are various equestrian pictures and memorabilia, all of which are reference to Brad's enthusiasm for national hunt racing. Also on the wall is a fine caricature of them both, with Brad's own horse "Trumpet", and their dog. Quite where the pub's donkey "Sebastian" fits into this theme we don't know, but there is a tenuous racing connection as he was born the day Seb Coe won Gold at the 1500m in the 1980 Moscow Olympics; hence his name.

Just off from the main room is a cosy restaurant in the oldest part of the building. Here Joy, along with 2 other chefs, serves top quality home cooked food daily. Food is always seasonal, with ingredients being sourced locally wherever possible, and the specials board always has some tempting treats. It is no surprise that several share clubs and supper clubs meet here regularly, as do the Lapworth 41 club. If you prefer, you are also welcome to have your meal in the main bar or lounge.

Being central to the village, and having several fields at the back, the Bull's Head is pleased to play host to the annual August Bank Holiday village Fete. Organised by the "Barston Association" a charitable trust, and with all proceeds going to local charities, this event is very popular and has such traditional games as egg-throwing and brick-lifting, as well as side stalls, dog displays and the like. The Inn has ample parking and a beer garden at the back that is away from the road and safe for children. Coming on to the beers - as the pub has a small cellar, their range is understandably restricted but they are kept very well by the cellarman John, who isn't a beer drinker!

Overall, the Bull's Head has all the right qualities associated with a traditional English village Pub. If you fancy a visit, the opening hours are 11:00-2:30 and 5:30-11:00 Monday to Friday, 11:00-11:00 Saturday, and 12:00-10:30 Sunday. You can be sure of a warm homely welcome, with fine ales and food to boot.

Paul Smith, Carl Wright & Julia Hammonds , 2005

Head for The Bull

Darts is a traditional pub game played in many hostelries up and down this fair isle of ours. Many who indulge in this pastime aim for the bull, and as fellow lovers of quality beer I'd urge all pub goers to aim for The Bull, or more precisely The Bull's Head in Barston.

The pub is situated in the Barston conservation area but it is not too far from Solihull town centre. The Bull's Head is a genuine, friendly village local. It is an ancient beamed country pub, comprising a two-storey 19th century whitewashed main frontage with three gables and a 17th century timber-framed wing behind. A pub has stood here since at least 1490 and fragments of these buildings still remain. There are three rooms, a cosy bar, lounge and restaurant.

The pub offers meals between 12 and 2 and 7 and 8.30 every day, except Sunday, when lunches (from 12 to 3) are to be enjoyed.

When I visited recently the beer choice was two regulars, Adnams' Best Bitter and Black Sheep Bitter (from eponymous breweries), plus guests Hook Norton Hooky Bitter and Everard's Beacon, proving a tasty selection to tickle the palate. This hostelry has been in CAMRA's The Good Beer Guide for the last twelve years, and was awarded the accolade of Solihull & District CAMRA's Pub of the Year in 2000 and 2002.

Like many rural pubs it is easiest to travel there by car: what a pity that public transport links are often so poor between town and countryside. We in CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale, promote improved rural transport services, making it one of our key campaigning issues. After all, it is better to use such methods rather than to drink and drive.

However you choose to get there (and why not have a designated driver who's not drinking alcohol?) I'd encourage you to make the short trip out to The Bull's Head where you'll be assured of a warm welcome by mine host Martin Bradley and his staff.

Martin Collinge , 2004

The Boat

England is full of small towns and villages with interesting names, such as Upton Magna, Little Snetterton, Lower Peover, etc. One local contribution to this list is Catherine-de-Barnes, or Catney to its locals. And surely any village needs its village pub, which in Catney's case is The Boat.

This pub was built in the late 19th Century and it is apt to call it a 'watering hole' given that it is situated near the Grand Union Canal. It is popular not just with the barge fraternity but also with the public. Since its renovation a few months ago it has expanded its dining area, but it is still a pub, with an outside drinking area that is particularly full during the summer months. The meals are available Monday-Saturday 12-10 and Sunday 12-9.

When I breezed in The Boat had two regular beers, Marston's Pedigree and Charles Wells' Bombardier, plus a guest, which on this occasion was Everard's Sunchaser.

When I was leaving the pub it occurred to me that it is the only pub in the village. Indeed, both locally and nationally many villages are sadly losing their pub. CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale, fights not just for the consumer (for instance, our campaign for the full pint) but other issues. I've previously mentioned our efforts to urge the authorities and bus/train companies to improve rural transport links. This latter issue is linked in with our campaign called 'The Pub Is The Hub' which stresses the importance of village pubs to village life. No less a person than prince Charles supports our campaign, as do many organisations. Without decent bus and train services fewer people, especially town dwellers, will visit a village local, thereby making its existence less likely. As I've said in a past article we don't encourage drinking and driving, so we need better transport connections.

So use not just your local but also look further afield and pay a visit to those hostelries located in the countryside. Without them the traditional English village would be a much poorer place.

Martin Collinge

The Golden Acres

Have you ever gone into a pub not expecting great things but on approaching the bar you are suddenly hushed into awed silence when you see what beer delights are laid out in front of you?

For many years the Golden Acres in Rowood Drive was a place where great things were not expected. Yes it had real ale and yes it was a local brew, namely Ansell's Bitter, but it wasn't a place a Beer Hunter would normally spend the evening. But a recent change of ownership has given the pub a new lease of life, and what a difference it has made!

When I breezed in there was an exciting mix of beers, to whit two ales from Wye Valley Brewery, Bitter and Resistance, plus Hook Norton Old Hooky. . An interesting selection which certainly is drawing in the crowds, in fact according to landlord Simon Carter over 100 gallons of real ale is being sold a week! The pub are even looking to have a beer specially brewed for them by Walsh's brewery.

The pub is situated in a housing estate backing on to the Land Rover site. Not being in the countryside one would not perhaps have expected great things with regard to beer choice, but as stated I was wowed. And this is where many other publicans and big beer groups get it wrong. If they do sell real ale they (sadly) stick to one or two ubiquitous national brands. Certainly it's good to see 'the proper stuff' available but he discerning consumer of the 21st Century demands more and wants to see choice in the shape of ales from a range of breweries so that he or she can enjoy a variety of flavours and styles. Many landlords believe real ale doesn't sell, well this pub, along with many others, proves that drinkers are keen to seek out and savour quality.

In addition to the beers food is available from 12-4each day, with Sunday lunch a firm favourite. Evening meals are available Monday-Saturday on request. More bar meals than main meals but very tasty indeed: I had a home-made burger to complement my beverage and I enjoyed it immensely!

So if you're in the vicinity of The Family Inn drop in: and if not, it's well worth making the journey there to partake of some of Great Britain's great beers!

Martin Collinge

The Drum & Monkey

Readers of this weekly column will know I try to be 'instrumental' in persuading you to go to pubs that serve great beer, and, where available, cider. So I crave your indulgence to 'bang on' about a pub that has become a firm favourite with lovers of quality real ale. And I'm 'banging on' about The Drum & Monkey in Bentley Heath.

The pub has increased its selection of real ales over the last few months. It used to offer the ubiquitous Tetley's Bitter and Marston's Pedigree, pleasant enough maybe but a Beer Hunter always likes to come across something different and exciting. On my visit there were the permanent Hobson's Best and Timothy Taylor Landlord, plus two guests, Caledonian Flying Scotsman and Hook Norton Hooky Dark on offer.

Not only has the pub improved its beer range, it recently held a beer festival (on the Sunday of the May Bank Holiday weekend) in which twelve beers were available. I was unable to attend this festival but my fellow hunters reported an interesting and tasty selection of beers.

The pub is also popular with diners, and meals are served Monday-Saturday 12-10 and on Sundays 12-9.30. The décor is 'olde worlde', with lots of exposed beams and brickwork. As for the pub's name, this has long been a topic of debate. One theory is that it is named after the blasting powder carriers working on the construction of the nearby railway. They were known as powder monkeys... And the drum? The receptacle in which the powder was stored.

Whatever the reason for the name, it's well worth a visit! It's certainly a pub that plays a tune that is music to a Beer Hunter's ears!

Martin Collinge , Jun 05

The Railway

If you're a devotee of the Carry On films (and I'm quite partial to an "Oooh, Matron!" myself) you would be interested if there was one called Carry On Landlord. Well, there hasn't been such a film yet, but perhaps they could consider it, with The Railway in Dorridge as good a candidate as any, as this hostelry has been in the same family for almost a century. The pub is something of a regular in CAMRA's The Good Beer Guide, and it was our local branch's Pub of the Year in 1999.

There is a small basic bar with a welcoming log fire and a large lounge which has a strong emphasis on good value food, which is served Monday-Saturday 12-2 and 5.30-9 (until 9.30 on Fridays and Saturdays) and 12-9 on Sundays. The large garden makes it particularly an ideal spot in these warm (?) English summer months: having play equipment for the children it is a good afternoon or evening out for the whole family, very much in evidence when I visited. In fact an awning is being erected, with heating and lighting, particularly welcome at colder times.

The beers on show were two regulars, Bass and Brew XI, plus three guests, Everard's Tiger, Shepherd Neame Spitfire and (my favourite of all these) Hop Back Summer Lightning. There was also a real cider, Weston's Old Rosie, plus a (very popular) organic bottled cider available.

Maybe I should at this point mention the pub's opening hours, as I recently received a letter from a Mrs T R Ellis stating that I don't give these details in my articles, so just to let you all know that during the summer months they are 11-11 Monday to Saturday and 12-10.30 on a Sunday. At other times the pub often closes between 3 and 4.30 on working days.

And also just to let you know that Solihull & District CAMRA will be visiting The Railway this Friday (29th) for our monthly 'Pub & Grub', when we have a meal and a drink or two, so if you're in the vicinity, why not pop in between 7.30 and 8? You will have the great pleasure of meeting some of our merry men and women, and you should also have some good beers and a good meal. But the Solihull Beer Hunter won't be there as he's off to the Eisteddfod in Wales to collect his certificate for passing his Welsh exams... So Iechyd da! (Cheers!)

Martin Collinge , Jul 05

The Joy of the Black Boy

After the recent excitement of The Solihull & District Beer Festival I have gone back to hunting beers and pubs locally. I thought I'd take a trip to a well-known establishment in Heronfield, just outside Knowle, namely the Black Boy.

Situated on the Warwick Road its garden overlooks the Grand Union Canal, ideal in the summer and a boon for the family. In fact there is a large children's play area... not that I'm suggesting that all children are large nowadays you understand! If the weather is not so warm there are heaters in the garden to compensate.

Certainly on the large size are the meals, so come here with a hearty appetite! And your children can likewise eat with you inside until 8 p.m. or later if outside. The pub was very full with contented diners when I popped in and a number of families were evident.

But a Beer Hunter likes to let you know about the beers on offer, and they were Bass and St.Austell's Tribute. It's good to see a foreign i.e. Cornish(!) beer being so popular; in fact mine host assured me that it's a best seller.

When I was supping it occurred to me that people who come to such a pub are local in the sense of most likely living within a few miles radius. They want to make an afternoon or evening of it, enjoying good food and good beer in a pleasant out of town setting. What a shame that there aren't more local brews they could try! We have the 'second city' of England on the doorstep, yet there isn't a brewery in site. So here's a call to residents of Solihull and Warwickshire: put your area on the map and give something to your local folk. Local produce has become a buzzword in recent times, so I'm sure there's a market for a local brewery!

Martin Collinge

Six Appeal at the Red Lion

Keen readers of this column will have noticed that I have promised to give a more detailed critique of one of the hostelries visited during the recent tour of Knowle's pubs undertaken by myself and colleagues from the Solihull & District branch of CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale. So without further ado, here is a review of the Red Lion.

Situated on the High Street, The Red Lion is, as mentioned in my previously Knowle article, within easy walking distance of the other three dotted around the main thoroughfare. The pub was built in the 17th Century and is a Grade II listed building, with the fireplace dating from 1779.

The pub is open 12-11 each day of the week, with meals available 12-8. When we visited we had the choice of six, yes six, real ales. They were Charles Wells Bombardier, Timothy Taylor Landlord (Madonna's favourite tipple), Hook Norton Old Hooky, Marston's Pedigree, Greene King IPA and M&B Brew XI. All right, six beers that are locally and nationally widely available, but such a number of real ales in one pub is more of an exception than a rule. Now I have been told by my Knowle friends that sometimes the beer range in the pub is not as extensive, so here's hoping that this selection is a sign of positive things. Certainly when I spoke to the manager Jody Bett he seemed enthusiastic about real ale, pointing to the fact that the pub, along with others in the same chain (Ember Inns) held a 'Labyrinth Ale Trail' last year.

This brings me to something I've touched on previously, namely the fact that some pubs chains pay scant regard to real ale, often having (at best) only one or two ubiquitous national brands. Well, there certainly must be a call for real ale or The Red Lion wouldn't put six on!

So when you're next in Knowle, why not pop in to The Red Lion. Judging by the menu you will be well fed as well as being well watered!

Martin Collinge , Mar 06

The Vaults

This edition we are starting the first of a weekly look at pubs in our local area. The man seeking them out is The Solihull Beer Hunter, Martin Collinge, Press & Publicity Officer of Solihull & District CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale.

Why start this odyssey of pubs and their beers at The Vaults? Well, this hostelry is our current 'Pub of the Year', a prestigious title as CAMRA has awarded it after researching 95 pubs in Solihull and its surrounding area.

The Vaults is located just off the main high street, nestling between the Loch Fyne seafood restaurant and Pizzeria Napoletana, an Italian café-cum-restaurant. This is a traditional small, cosy 'boozer' with a warm welcome.

Six real ales plus a real cider are available in the pub. There are four regular beers available (Burton Ale, Tetley's Best Bitter, Ansell's Mild and Greene King IPA, plus two regularly changing guest ales usually sourced from small breweries. Have a look at the beer pump clips displayed around the walls to see the range of guest ales that have been served here. The Vaults is also unusual as one of the regular beers is a mild, and the cider is also real, i.e. unpasteurised. There is, of course, the standard range of lagers and wines and spirits.

There's something for all drinkers here remarked licensee Nick Worrall. "The fact that we have received many awards from CAMRA shows that we take our beer and cider seriously! We have held beer festivals here and we are considering putting on another one. Watch this space!"

The pub concentrates on drinks but bar meals are served between 12 and 2 Monday to Saturday, with the usual pub snacks available at other times. There is even a pickled onion competition in December! If you've never visited The Vaults then I can heartily recommend it: you'll be assured of a warm welcome and some top-notch beers and ciders!

If you are interested in CAMRA, whether socialising and/or campaigning, please contact Martin on 0794 160 7076 for further details.

Martin Collinge

The Navigation

If you take my advice, there's nothing so nice As messing about on the river

-these were the words of a popular ditty which, I seem to recall, was a bit of a hit in my youth... which was not that long ago, just in case there are any sarcastic readers out there! I'd like to add that perhaps the next line of the song should be ""And

Of course you can be on dry land and still enjoy your pint. The Navigation is located in Lapworth, a village centred around a junction of canals. A pleasant walk can take in the pub and The Boot, whilst seeing the spectacular flight of locks on the Stratford Canal and the interesting junction with its barrel roofed lock keeper's cottages. You are also not far from the National Trust properties of Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House, so it makes for a good staging post on an afternoon out.

The Navigation is a former Solihull & District CAMRA Pub of the Year, having achieved this accolade three times in the mid nineties. It also had a 20-year stint in The Good Beer Guide so it has built up a reputation of offering quality ales, plus a tasty cider. When I called in they had regular beers Bass and Brew XI and a guest ale, Wye Valley Butty Bach (very tasty!), plus Weston's Old Rosie cider, the latter at a staggering 7.3%, so take care when steering your boat afterwards! Landlord Andrew Kimber told me that he can get through eight different beers in a week, so they is a constantly changing range of ales on offer. He also likes to rotate the ciders available for you fans of the apple.

The Navigation also has a very extensive menu, with food being served Mon-Sat 12-2, with the time extended until 3 on a Sunday. Of an evening the food hours are 6-9. All in all it's a popular watering hole that you're likely to return to once you've visited it, and with the long summer days and school holidays approaching it makes an ideal destination for a meal accompanied by the best of British ales and ciders.

Martin Collinge

A Finger in Many Pies - Fleur de Lys

In the heart of the Warwickshire there are many villages that will pass through if you're energetic enough to be one of the walking or cycling fraternity (or sorority!). One such village is Lowsonford and a good place to stop for a pint to slake your thirst is The Fleur de Lys.

Yes, I hear your saying, is that not the name of that purveyor of pies that are prevalent in many chip shops? And yes, you'd be right. The pub is indeed home of the original Fleur de Lys pies. The pub is in fact very much food orientated, offering meals 12-10 Monday-Saturday, 12-9.30 Sunday. The pub itself is open 11-11 Monday-Saturday and 12-10.30 on Sunday. These are the 'licensed' times, when alcoholic beverages are purveyed: the pub operates as a café from 9 a.m. during the week.

The interior has a wealth of oak beams (mind your head!) and quarried floor tiles where, in winter, five open log fires make the pub warm and cosy. Outside the garden overlooks the canal (the pub has its own moorings) and is exceptionally pleasant to sit and drink by. There is also a play area to keep the little ones happy.

For the beer drinker there are two regulars on offer, both from Greene King, namely IPA and Abbot Ale, plus a guest beer which is changed monthly: when I breezed in it was Ale Fresco. Two-pint carry out containers are on hand if you feel like enjoying at home what you've tried in the pub.

The Fleur de Lys is, like a number of hostelries, a designated non-smoking pub. Now for a large number of people they would want all pubs to be no smoking. Within CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale, we are having a debate as to the merits or otherwise of a total ban on smoking in pubs. Our policy is to ask publicans to provide designated no smoking and smoking areas, plus better ventilation. We are worried that if a blanket ban were introduced that it would serve the death knell of many pubs, particularly rural ones. I am myself a non-smoker but I have nothing against people lighting up so long as they do so considerately and in a separate area. What do readers of this paper think?

Whatever your views on smoking are maybe you can discuss them with your friends over a pint... In The Fleur de Lys!

Martin Collinge

Fieldhouse

There's a common misconception that the most authentic real ales are to be found in spit 'n' sawdust taverns hidden up deserted country lanes, whilst residential pub chains offer nothing but sterile furnishings and taste-free beer.

Not so, as members of Solihull CAMRA made quite clear when they backed the addition of the Fieldhouse, Monkspath – part of the Ember Inns chain – in this year's Good Beer Guide. Since taking over the pub five years ago, Richard and Barbara Norton have enthusiastically embraced Ember's annual real ale promotion. "It's grown and grown," he told me on the opening day, "it's very popular indeed."

The 2006 Cask Fresh Ale Festival runs until 26 November and features six guest beers each week, with the actual line-up decided via regular customer ballots. Among the definite highlights will be Midlands favourite Banks' Bostin' Bitter (4.2% ABV), Harvistoun's Bitter & Twisted (4.2%), Blond from the Avon brewery Smiles (3.7%) and Wychwood's winter tipple Hobgoblin (at 5%, over-indulgence of this Oxfordshire elixir is liable to leave you seeing spooks and demons well before Halloween).

With more than twenty years in the trade, most recently at the Wilsons Arms in Knowle, Richard was delighted to make the pages of Britain's premier real ale handbook: "I was well chuffed – chain pubs struggle to get into the Guide."

Toby Jugg , Oct 06

The Cock Horse

Looking for something to do over this Bank Holiday weekend, but you don't feel like queuing up with the crowds to watch Star Wars? Well, what better than a trip out to a traditional English country pub? Not one can you enjoy fine ales and cider at The Cock Horse in Rowington this weekend, they are coupling their beer festival with a musical one. The festival starts on Sunday 29th and finishes Bank Holiday Monday 30th.

The joint festival will feature up to 15 real ales: I (and many others!) went last year and enjoyed a splendid selection of real ales, both the well known and the not so well known, encompassing a good range of medium and micro breweries from throughout the kingdom. They will be served in a large marquee to be erected adjacent to the pub, with the music being performed (weather permitting) in the open next to the tent.

Mine hosts David and Wendy Preston held festivals the last two years around the August Bank Holiday, but because of the success of previous year's events they are also trying a May one as well this year.

The Cock Horse is situated in the village of Rowington, not too far from Henley and Warwick. The pub usually serves four real ales, namely Hook Norton Old Hooky, Charles Wells' Bombardier, Adnam's Broadside, Fuller's London Pride, plus a guest ale, which was Banks's Bitter when I popped in. There is also a real cider, which was Weston's Old Rosie. Meals are also available between 12 and 2 and 6 and 9 Mondays to Saturdays, with Sunday lunch available 12-4. All this served in a hostelry which typifies a traditional pub feel, with beams aplenty inside.

Talking of food, a pig roast is available from 2-4 on both days of the festival, with a barbeque also taking place on the Sunday.

The music to tap your feet to will be a mixture of folk and jazz, with a variety of groups and singers performing.

Why not treat yourself to a trip out one (or both?) of the days of the festival? The Cock Horse is an award-winning pub, being a current entry in The Campaign for Real Ale's Good Beer Guide, so it comes with a good recommendation!

Martin Collinge , May 05

The Red Lion

Shirley you must have visited this pub? Well, if you have never been to The Red Lion on the Stratford Road I urge you to do so. Do not be put off by the fact that it is situated in a busy shopping area: in fact it is an ideal haven in the midst of the array of shops and eateries on this major thoroughfare. There is parking in front or behind the pub but it is well served by all the buses that go down the Stratford Road, particularly the 6, 32 and 69, so it is easily accessible from both 'greater' Solihull and Birmingham.

The interior of the pub is comfortable but not pretentious: unlike many pubs which have undergone major refurbishments (and thereby destroyed the character of the pub) the Red Lion has not been changed greatly and thus it feels like a good no-nonsense hostelry with lots of character.

Licensee Joe Baker and his team are proud that they feature in the current Solihull section in the West Midlands' listings of selected pubs in The Good Beer Guide published by CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale. The pub serves good value meals between 12 and 2 from Monday to Saturday. As for the beer, there are five real ales on offer, four of them bitters, the three regulars being Black Sheep Bitter, Marston's Pedigree and Tetley's Best, plus a guest ale, which was Cotleigh Brewery's Tawny when I visited. In addition to the bitters a regular beer is Highgate Dark Mild, a tasty beverage and my own personal favourite. I'd encourage you to try it!

Wot, drink mild? I hear you say: isn't it a drink for old men? Well, this is a common misconception, just like the untruth that women don't drink beer- 27% of our membership both locally and nationally are female. No, mild is a drink with a great deal going for it. It has a marvellous nutty flavour, plus it is lower in alcohol than standard bitters so you can drink more of it.

In CAMRA we are keen to promote this wonderful tipple so we actually devoted this month to promoting it, making May our 'Mild Month'. We shall be visiting local pubs in our area this Saturday 14th, starting at The Red Lion at midday, with a visit to one or two other pubs in Shirley before going over to Henley. If you're already a mild fan, or if the above leads you to want to try it out, why not come and join us? You'll be made to feel most welcome!

Martin Collinge , May 05

Have You Ever Been to The Harvester Before?

No folks, I'm not talking about one of that ubiquitous chain. Don't confuse, say, the one on the Coventry Road (just outside the Solihull boundary) with this week's pub I've hunted, The Harvester in Tanhouse Farm Lane is located just inside the Solihull boundary!

The Harvester is an estate pub tucked away from the main road. It has a large busy bar sporting traditional pub games, whilst the lounge is given over to eating, with meals generally being served 12-8 Mondays to Saturdays and lunches 12-4 on a Sunday. Children are welcome if eating, and I'm sure they are keen to do so when they see the excellent outdoor play area!

During my visit four real ales were on offer: the 'regulars', Greene King Abbot Ale and John Smith's Cask, plus two 'guests', Courage Directors' and Shepherd Neame Spitfire. I was particularly pleased to see the cask version of John Smith, rather than the frothy but least tasty nitrokeg smoothflow version. Nitrokeg beers have gas shoved up it to create a creamy head but the beer is thus robbed of a lot of its flavour. Why is this process necessary? You can have a head on real ale anyway.

The Harvester is surely the best pub in its area beer wise. What a shame the others in and around offer little or no real ale. A case in point is The Lyndon. This pub was once a Solihull & District CAMRA pub of the year in the 80s, yet now it is a real ale desert. Apparently they took out the real ale because it doesn't sell: well, four hand pumps in The Harvester tell a different story!

Martin Collinge

The White Swan

Wasn't it Crowded House who memorably sang "Everywhere you go, you always take the Wether(spoon) with you"? Well, whoever it was, wherever you go in this fair isle there's a good chance that you'll find a JD Wetherspoon public house in the vicinity, and Solihull is no exception, with The White Swan in Station Road being the Silhillian version.

Wetherspoon's hostelries are well-known for the good value of their food and drink. They offer inexpensive meals both day and evening: in fact they also have weekly themed 'nights', with the Steak Night on a Tuesday and Curry Night on a Thursday, both allowing a meal and a pint for around a fiver.

Well, as fellow members of CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale, will know, I'm partial to my food, but my main roll, oops role, is that of The Solihull Beer Hunter. But what better time top go hunting, as Wetherspoon's in currently having a beer festival in all of its pubs?

During the festival The White Swan is hoping to offer up to 20 types of real ale. During my visit we were offered the delights of Cain's Dark Mild, Titanic Silver Spoon, Brain's SA: from further afield (Belgium to be precise) there was also De Konick's. A good selection of beer styles to please the discerning drinker! There was also a number of ciders: in addition they are purveying a number of wines and whiskies. And all at keen prices! So worth a visit... and you have until Sunday 22nd to enjoy the delights of the festival.Enjoy!

Martin Collinge

When Is a Pub Not Just a pub? - The Bell

Just popping out for pint.

Can you get some shopping...

Well, maybe it's not something we expect our other half to say to us when we set out to visit our local, but it's an interesting thought. In fact, in some pubs this is not just a thought but has become reality.

Such is the case at The Bell in Tanworth-in-Arden. Since 2003 the pub has also operated as a post office-cum-shop. To some people it might take some getting used to, but apart from the obvious fact that it is handy, it also allows two focal points of village life (namely the pub and the post office) to come together, an important factor in village life. Many villages in Britain have lost either or both of these facilities, thus affecting the residents and altering the fabric of a major part of British life.

It's not The Solihull Beer Hunter's job to comment on the goods on offer in the shop section of the 'pub', but he can applaud the fact that a number of real ales are on offer, namely Timothy Taylor Landlord (as drunk by Madonna!), Marston's Pedigree and Black Sheep Bitter. It's good to see regional as well as national breweries featured.

Diners can indulge their pleasure 12-2 and 6.30-9 Monday-Saturday, with lunches (but no evening meals) on a Sunday. The surroundings can also be enjoyed whilst one is eating and drinking. The Bell is a comfortable pub in an idyllic setting, being opposite the 12th Century church and the village green. It is close to the River Alne and Umberslade's Children's Farm is nearby.

The pub has an interesting history. Between 1939 and 1972 the landlord was Jack Hood, a British and European boxing champion... I bet nobody crossed him! It has also been used extensively in TV programmes such as Crossroads and Dangerfield.

So certainly worth a visit on many counts. Let's hope that other villages in which there is a threat of closure to pub and/or post office, or any other local facility, can take the imaginative step to pool resources to keep the driving force of a village alive.

Martin Collinge

The Winged Spur

Last week I talked about the importance of the village pub to a community. I thought it would be appropriate to visit another village, but this time decided to go further afield. I decided that a visit deep into the Warwickshire countryside was called for so I set off to visit The Winged Spur in Ullenhall.

Close to Dean's Green Nature Reserve Ullenhall is an ancient village in picturesque surroundings. The pub's name derives from the Knight family emblem, with the family living at nearby Barrells Hall, now a ruin. In the early 18th century the pub was known as the Catherlough Arms.

The current day hostelry is an open plan village pub with nooks and crannies making it a pleasant drinking environment. When I visited there were many people enjoying the meals, available every day 12-2.30, with evening meals available 7-9.30 Monday to Thursday, with slightly longer hours the rest of the week. Now I know I love my food but my main business is good beer. I partook of Dorothy Goodbody's Golden Ale, one of the three guest ales on offer: there is also a regular beer, Flower's IPA. For those cider fans out there was also the possibility of trying Weston's Old Rosie, plus a guest cider. There is also a perry to be had!

Licensees Clive Minshell and Mary Jones have worked hard in and on the pub. The outside seating area is being upgraded. They also like to keep the regulars entertained so there is a quiz every Sunday evening at 9 o'clock!

The Winged Spur received the accolade of the Solihull & District Branch of CAMRA's Most Improved Pub in 2004 and is one of those pubs that realise the success they can have by offering a greater and better choice beer (and cider!) I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I'd rather enjoy an interesting pint of a quality ale or cider rather pay £2-£2.50 (50 shillings!) for some ubiquitous uninspiring mass produced fizz. Landlords and landladies need to be more adventurous. Pubs that are prepared to work hard and improve their beer selection to their customers create interest amongst pub goers. Plus of course their efforts lead to such awards that in turn can only have a positive effect.

So I raise my glass to Clive and Mary of The Winged Spur who are trying to make a good pub even better!

Martin Collinge

The Blue Bell Cider House

There is a famous church in Manchester called The Hidden Gem, and maybe one could use this name to describe The Blue Bell Cider House, located on the canalside near Hockley Heath. As the name suggests lovers of the apple will feel at home here! There are usually three 'real' ciders available, two from the Bulmer's stable, with dry and medium, plus a guest cider (Weston's Traditional Scrumpy at the time of my visit) -in fact, cider to suit all tastes! There are also two real ales, which were guests: Deuchar's IPA and Hook Norton Old Hooky.

The pub is currently to be seen in CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale's, best selling book The Good Beer Guide, appearing in the Warwickshire section. This 'bible' of drinkers and connoisseurs of real ale, real cider and real perry contains the names and details of 5,000 pubs nationally that have been selected by CAMRA members because of the high quality of their drinks, but the Guide also gives extensive information about food available, plus facilities for children and disabled, and other useful details.

The landlord of The Blue Bell is keen to underline the pub's commitment to quality ciders and ales. "In 2003 we were awarded the prize of Solihull & District CAMRA's 'Most Improved Pub of the Year'. We take pride in serving excellent beverages. We attract a lot of drinkers who can't get traditional cider in their local, with many people coming from all parts of the borough to sample this wonderful drink".

In addition to the cider and ale the pub offers meals and snacks at lunchtime and evening (Monday evening excepted), with Sunday lunches a firm favourite amongst locals. As well as the bar there is a lounge which extends into a conservatory area, with children welcome to eat with their parents.

You should need no invitation to visit this pub and to sample its delights for yourself... but if you need one why don't you come this Monday 9th at 8.30? Solihull & District CAMRA is holding its monthly Branch Meeting in the pub, and we would like to extend a warm welcome not just to local members (and their partners!) but also to anyone interested in quality cider and ale. You can even meet The Solihull Beer Hunter in person! See you there!

Martin Collinge , May 05

Back On the Chain Gang - The Bulls Head

I don't know about you but when I go to a pub I like it to have its own individual character, rather than it being a carbon copy of some other establishment. There are many pubs that are indeed owned by mine host or hostess, and such free houses often serve a good range of beers from small (and interesting) breweries. But the vast majority of pubs belong to one of the many national chains. Some of these chains seem more interested in the cash register than the beer they offer their customers. Certainly in my experience a lot of pubs owned by a national chain seem to be replicas of one another. So it's always good to go to a pub owned by a smaller chain which do offer a selection of real ales and that seem to have an interest in them.

Such a pub is The Bull's Head in Earlswood. It is owned by Thwaites of Blackburn, Lancashire. It might seem a long way from the Red Rose County but there is a sprinkling of Thwaites' pubs in the Midlands, another springing to mind is The Red House in Hermitage Road, Solihull.

The Bull's Head was built in 1740 to house the navvies building the Stratford on Avon canal. It consists of a collection of late 18th and early 19th century two-storey whitewashed brick buildings that have been extended and linked. It became a pub in 1832.

The pub's opening hours are 12-11 Monday to Saturday and 12-10.30 on Sunday. If you are feeling hungry then you'll need to know that meals are served 12-2.30 and 6-9 Monday through to Thursday, 12-3 and 6-9.30 on Friday and Saturday, with 12-5.30 being the Sunday times.

Thwaites took over this pub in 2000 and they are currently raising their profile nationally by promoting their beers with the help of the current great English cricket all-rounder, Andrew Flintoff. In The Bull's Head they offer Thoroughbred and Original or Bomber. They have also offered Liberation to celebrate 60 years since the end of the Second World War. Daniel Thwaites' brewery recently donated £31,000 to The Royal British Legion, the money raised over a year from sales in cask and bottle form of this beer.

It's good to se the good work Thwaites is doing by supporting two good causes, our heroic fight in the war and our great brewing tradition.

Why not drop in to The Bull's Head for a visit? And why not think of Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff and sink a pint or two... Hopefully like we are going to do to the Aussies in the final test!

Martin Collinge , Aug 05

Photos: Gordon Clarke, Robert Cawte

If you want to comment on an article or suggest a pub for him to visit, email . Don't miss his Beerhunter articles.