Real Ale

The Black Country is renowned for its real ales and for its characterful pubs.  A few of these remain more or less unaltered since Victorian times; others have been modernised but still retain their essential character; yet others have become part of the various national real ale theme pubs.

 

The traditions of real cask ale brewing (especially 'mild ale') and 'local' pub values have survived longer in the Black Country than in other parts of the country - and prices are usually much lower!

 

In the Dudley Borough there are two independent brewers and one brew-pub:- Batham's at The Delph, Brierley Hill and Holden's at Woodsetton and the Sarah Hughes Brewery at Sedgley which brews for its taphouse, the Beacon Hotel, and a few free-trade outlets.  The leading regional brewer is Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries trading as Banks's and Hanson's.  Other nearby breweries are the Highgate & Walsall Brewery in Walsall and in the countryside west of Stourbridge the Enville Brewery which supplies several pubs in the Borough.

 

Only a small sample of pubs can be listed here.  For more information contact the local branches of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA):-  Dudley & South Staffs - Stan Stephens 01384 255304, Stourbridge - Patrick Bird 0121 422 5394. 

 

 

BRIERLEY HILL
The Delph, to the south of the town centre, has acquired the reputation of being the 'real ales riviera' of Dudley with a series of pubs within walking distance of each other.   The famous flight of canal locks known locally as the 'Ninelocks' even though there are now only eight runs parallel to the road and provides a pleasant walk through a conservation area.

 

The pubs are (from the bottom next to the canal lock) The Bell, The Tenth Lock, The Dock & Iron, The Black Horse and the most famous of all the Batham's brewery tap The Vine.  This is widely known as the 'Bull and Bladder' - although why this is so is a matter for some debate.

DUDLEY TOWN CENTRE
The Full Moon in the High Street is a J.D. Wetherspoon establishment.  Further up the street is the Little Barrel - a tiny town centre pub with a varying range of beers.   The Lamp Tavern at the top of the High Street (across King Street) is another of the 'Batham's nine' and the Saracen's Head in Stone Street was once one of the leading coaching hotels in the town.

GORNAL WOOD
Right on the western rural edge of the Black Country is one of the most famous pubs in the country:- the Crooked House.  This pub, now owned by Banks's, suffered from the effects of coal mining in the 19th century so that the entire building subsided to an amazing angle.  Here even a teetotaller is likely to stagger.  Well known optical illusions include a ball that rolls uphill.  It gets very busy on fine summer weekends and evenings.  Click on the image to see the full effect of the Crooked House.

HALESOWEN
There are two notable pubs on the Stourbridge Road out of the town centre:- the Waggon & Horses is described as 'a mecca for real ale drinkers' with its 14 ever-changing beers and the unusually named King Edward VII further along the road has Enville ales and guest beers.

NETHERTON
The Old Swan (Ma Pardoe's) in Halesowen Road was once one of only four home-brew pubs surviving in Britain. Brewing has restarted & includes Pardoe's Original Ale to the original formula. The original bar with its enamel ceiling and 'central heating' stove have been kept. The pub is Grade II listed.

 

The Little Dry Dock Inn at Windmill End was originally one of the Little Pub Company extravaganzas with part of a canal boat serving as a bar.

SEDGLEY
The Beacon Hotel along Bilston Street is a resurrected Victorian brewery where the Sarah Hughes ales are produced by her grandson.  Parties can book trips around the brewery.

STOURBRIDGE
The Hogshead in Foster Street is the local representative of the national chain and it has a range of guest beers.  The Seven Stars in Brook Road, Oldswinford next to Stourbridge Junction Station has a good range of beers and is worth visiting to see the ornately tiled bar with its imposing mahogany and mirrors at the back of the bar.

UPPER GORNAL
The Britannia in Kent Street has been extended and refurbished in recent years but the original tap room where both the customers and the staff are 'behind the bar' has been kept.  Brewing in the minute brewery at the back was restarted but following the recent sale to Batham's may not continue.

WOLLASTON
This village right on the edge of the countryside is noted locally for having at least eight pubs (depending on how you define the area).  Three of them, all on the main Bridgnorth Road, feature in the Good Beer Guide:- the Plough which has Bass and Enville Ale, the Princess which has Wadsworth 6X, Abbott Ale & Wells' Bombardier Bitter and the Unicorn which has Batham's beers.

WOODSETTON
The Park Inn is the Holden's brewery tap now extended by the addition of a large conservatory. Visiting party's can book trips around the brewery on weekdays.