Redditch and Bromsgrove branch of CAMRA
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Redditch and Bromsgrove branch of CAMRA |
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We present a "Pub of the Season" award up to four times a year and
a "Pub of the Year" for our very best pub in the year.
Please note that some of the pubs below have changed hands and sometimes beer
quality may have deteriorated since these awards were made.
Consult the CAMRA Good
Beer Guide to find our latest recommendations.
The Red Lion, Bromsgrove
Autumn 2011
This single roomed, town centre pub has recently been refurbished with comfortable Chesterfields and now stocks a constantly changing selection of up to seven ales from the Marstons Portfolio so expect to see beers from Banks's, Wychwood, Jennings and Marstons.
The Nailers, Bournheath
Spring 2011
A busy and sociable bar is adjacent to an outside patio. The lounge has a modern look and feel and is popular with those eating. Wye Valley HPA, Enville Ginger and Greene King Old Speckled Hen are served.
The Hop Pole, Droitwich
Branch
Pub of the Year 2011, POS
Winter 2006
Wye Valley HPA, Butty Bach, Enville Ginger and Malvern Hills Black Pear are served in this fascinating building and it's oak beamed interior. A busy, welcoming pub with a good community spirit and pleasant outside drinking area. Good value lunches.
Barnt Green Social Club, Barnt Green
Branch Club of the Year 2011
A welcoming club (show CAMRA membership card to get signed in) with an
attractive lounge bar and an outside drinking area replete with flower beds.
There is a large games room to the rear. Three real ales are served, two
changing guest ales usually come from local micros such as Enville and
Weatheroak plus Fullers London Pride.
The Swan, Alvechurch
Winter 2010/11
New licensees and a refurbishment in 2010 along with food served plus an extra real ale have made a welcome change to this roadside pub. A proper unspoilt bar with a tidy and modern lounge to the side. The stepped garden to the rear is surprisingly large. Greene King IPA served with or without head from the special handpump along with St Austell Tribute and Wye Valley Butty Bach.
The Ring O' Bells, Droitwich
Summer 2010
A recent convert to real ale. This small and modern bar serves a good range of beers from local breweries. A games area to the rear. Cannon Royall IPA, King's Shilling and a couple of other beers are served usually including a Wye Valley beer.
The Greyhound, Bromsgrove
Spring 2010
Reopened in late 2009, the Greyhound is is a welcome return to the real ale fold. Transformed into a smart eating place and located in the Rock Hill area of Bromsgrove, it doesn't forget it's pub heritage with a bar area and places for drinking. Four real ales including Wye Valley HPA and a local brewery beer is often featured.
Dodford, Dodford, Bromsgrove
Winter 2009
The "pub in the field" that was almost lost forever. Now thankfully reopened in April 2009 as a classic country inn serving four ever changing real ales invariably from micro-breweries. At least one local beer is on sale. Real cider is also served. A single room the pubs holds regular events such as beer festivals.
The Queens Head, Stoke Pound
Summer 2009
Located beside the Worcester and Birmingham canal and with a pleasant waterside patio this is a good place to moor up when completing or starting the Tardebigge lock flight. A large restaurant is popular and there is a lounge to the side of the bar. Wye Valley HPA and up to two real ales are featured usually from local breweries such as Purity and Malvern Hills.
The Little Lark, Studley
Spring 2009
This former Little Pub Company inn retains many of the quirky characteristics of its former owner. The many rooms add to the atmosphere. Ansells Mild, Adnams Bitter, Taylor Landlord and a guest beer are served. As well as popular food the Lark often runs events such as cheese nights.
The Woodland Cottage, Redditch
Winter 2008
Located a short walk from the bus station up the hill towards Headless Cross, this town pub offers a friendly atmosphere. A single lounge bar is subdivided into distinct lounge and bar areas. Four real ales are served including Greene King Abbot, Taylor Landlord plus a couple of guest. Often featured is St Austell Tribute and a locally brewed beer such as Purity UBU, Weatheroak Ale or Cannon Royall King's Shilling.
The Weighbridge, Alvechurch
Worcestershire Pub of the Year 2008,
Branch Pub of the Year 2007, 2005, 2008; Winter 2004 / Winter 2002
This former private club opened as a pub in 2002 and was described in the local CAMRA newsletter as having everything going for it, except for one thing - real ale! Well now this tiny canalside pub has no less than three real ales including a special for the pub brewed by Kinver Brewery. The Weighbridge located in Alvechurch Boat Centres Marina on the Worcester Birmingham Canal was once the old Weighbridge office for offloading coal barges to horse and cart for local deliveries. The pub has three individual rooms each with their own character, a warm welcome and an individuality that has been lost in so many pubs, spoilt by pub companies with standard and tired themes. Excellent food and a friendly welcome from licensees John and Jayne Humphreys make this a little gem. Two beers festivals a year are held.
The Wildmoor Oak, Wildmoor
Spring 2008
A country pub just a short hop from junction 4 of the M5 motorway. Superb Caribbean food and well kept Wye Valley HPA, Wells Bombardier and a guest ale or two. What more do you need?
The Boat and Railway, Stoke Works
Winter 2007
Situated alongside the Worcester and Birmingham canal this pub has a superb waterside patio. An ideal place to site and watch narrowboats getting ready to ascend the longest flight of locks in the UK or alternatively heading south for Worcester. A single lounge bar with a restaurant to the side and a large function room. Banks's Original and Bitter plus one or two guest ales from the Marstons Portfolio.
The Gate Hangs Well, Headless Cross, Redditch
Winter 2006
This pub had come to the notice of local CAMRA members as one where five real
ales were on offer along with an ever changing guest ale selection. So
enthusiastic are the licensees about their guest ales that they state "If you're
the unfortunate person on whom the guest barrel runs dry - then we'll give you a
pint of one of our other regular cask ales - free of charge!". A guest beer sits
alongside Ansells Bitter, Tetley Bitter, Hook Norton Old Hooky and Greene King
Abbot Ale.
The Plough, Shenstone near Chaddesley Corbett
Autumn 06, Summer 99
A lovely old countryside pub with two cosy lounges and a public bar. The Plough serves the renown Brierley Hill brewed Bathams Mild, Bitter plus XXX during Christmas. All the beers are served in excellent condition and are keenly priced. Try the pork pies. A bit of the Black Country in our own branch. Bostin!
The Talbot, Chaddesley Corbett
Summer 2005
A beautiful 16th Century black and white timbered pub. Three distinct bars and a pleasant patio to the rear. A good range of quality food. Banks's Original, Bitter and two guest beers from Banks's Portfolio.
The Hop Pole, Bromsgrove
Winter 2004/05, Winter 97/98
Located opposite the Rovers soccer ground, the Hop Pole is a small town pub thankfully saved from the destructive tendencies of the brewers it features a floor made from gravestones. Refurbished in 2004 and featuring Worfield OBJ along with three guest beers.
The Fruiterer's Arms, Uphampton
Summer 2004, Winter 95/96, Autumn 96, Branch Pub of the Year 1995, 1997,
Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Pub of the year 1996 and 1998
A superb country inn situated near Ombersley. The home of Cannon Royall brewery and serving Mild, Arrowhead, Muzzleloader (and occasionally a seasonal Cannon Royall special) and John Smiths all at excellent prices. A proper unspoilt country inn. Good value lunches.
The Coach & Horses, Weatheroak, nr Wythall
Winter 98/99, Branch Pub of the Year 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, Outstanding Achievement
Award 2003
Run by Phil and Sheila Meads, this is a proper free house serving up to eleven real ales many of which are brewed on-site. The unspoilt bar has an open fire and there is a lounge to the side. Weatheroak ales are brewed in a small building at the front of the pub. The Light Oak and Weatheroak ale are particular favourites. The pub is the only one to have won "Pub of the year", four years running.
The Fox, Chaddesley Corbett
Summer 2003
The Fox at Chaddesley Corbett serves an interesting guest beer alongside Enville Ale and Theakston BB. A comfortable, roadside inn with excellent food and a popular carvery.
Redditch & Bromsgrove branch of the Campaign for Real Ale
