These are the best real ale pubs in Birmingham, according to the Campaign for Real Ale.
The Birmingham branch of real ale loving group CAMRA has given out its prizes for the best three pubs and has revealed the seven other pubs in its top ten.
As BIrminghamLive recently reported, The Jeweller's Arms on Hockley Street was recognised with the prestigious Gold award for Pub of the Year 2021.
The Silver award was given to licensee Sukhi Rai for The Old Moseley Arms on Tindal Street in Balsall Heath.
And Eddie Fitzpatrick at Highgate pub The Lamp Tavern on Barford Street was awarded Bronze.
The other pubs that make up the current top ten are Burning Soul Brewery, The Craven Arms, Post Office Vaults, Rock & Roll Brewhouse, Spotted Dog, Wellington and Woodman.
An initial top 25 pubs as voted by CAMRA members was whittled down to a list of ten.
Martin Collinge, Chairman of CAMRA Birmingham Branch, said: "The branch decided to ‘roll over’ the 2020 certificates to 2021, given that the pubs would not have been able to enjoy a very long tenure last year because of the shutdowns."
If you haven't tried them all, perhaps this is the chance to put on your drinking shoes and give them a whirl.
Find out more about CAMRA's Good Beer Guide 2021 here
The Je we ller's Arms took the top spot as best boozer.
Here are the other places that make the ten best real ale pub in Brum and what CAMRA says about each :
Old Moseley Arms
"This is a traditional 19th-century pub; the left bar has an 80-inch screen for sport, the right bar has the jukebox. Upstairs for functions, pool table and Sunday evening music; comfy sofas in the covered garden/smoking area.
Superb Tandoori menu. Regular beer festivals feature 16 ales and two ciders."
53 Tindal Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 9QU
The Lamp Tavern
"This hidden gem of a pub located in close proximity to Digbeth and the Arcadian areas has two excellent permanent real ales consisting of Hobson’s Mild and one from the Stanway range. Three ever-changing wonderful guests/locales are available too. It has been run by the friendly Eddie Fitzpatrick for 27 years now. The pub has a homely feel, Folk club on Friday evenings, Jazz club on some Tuesday evenings."
157 Barford Street, Highgate, B5 6AH
Burning Soul Brewery
"There is an ever-changing list of smaller experimental pilot brews so they can capture first hand what people think of their beer; those liked most are re-brewed and sold outside of the brewery. There is a pool table, and tours are available on request. Card payments are preferred, but cash is still accepted. There is one handpump for cask ale, plus 10 KeyKeg taps, with all Burning Soul beers served on them meeting the CAMRA definition of real ale. Bottled mead is available."
Unit 1 Mott Street Industrial Estate, Hockley, B19 3HE
Craven Arms
Re-opened as a part of the Black Country Traditional Inns, this pub has been tastefully redecorated, and the main one room is nice and intimate. Handpulls take prominence on the bar, and alongside their three core beers, the range fluctuates to many different styles and strengths... The exterior is wonderfully ornately tiled. The pub may close early if quiet.
Post Office Vaults
"Situated very close to New Street Station with an excellent range of eight real ales, with 10+ ciders and perries and over 300 bottled beers from around the world. This subterranean pub is a great place to visit for connoisseurs of beer. There is also free play bar billiards. Food is not served; you are welcome to bring your own, and plates, cutlery & condiments are provided."
84 New Street, City Centre, B2 4BA
Rock & Roll Brewhouse
Moved to new premises, as of Feb 2020. A quirky brewery Taproom bedecked with music memorabilia. There are usually three vegan-friendly ales available when open, always including a dark ale to start with. Only open Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon. The bar staff and their knowledge of beer is excellent; the other shared love in the bar is music, and there is a playlist of what you are hearing on the wall. There is Hogan's cider available for non-beer drinkers."
19 Hall Street, Bham B18 6B
Spotted Dog
"A multi-roomed traditional pub of Irish character, family-owned with the same landlord since the '80s. Rugby & Irish Sports are shown on large screen TVs. Features an extensively covered patio garden and smoking area with heaters, large real fireplace, barbeque, projection screen and eclectic adornments. "
104 Warwick Street, Digbeth, B12 0NH
Wellington
" Stalwart of Birmingham’s real ale scene, this city-centre pub has the feel of a community local at the heart of the second city. This pioneering pub offers 27 hand pulls over two floors, dispensing well-kept ale and 3 traditional ciders. A huge range of whiskies is available, the ground floor offering scotch, with the rest of the world represented on the first-floor bar.
"The suntrap roof terrace is a hidden urban gem. Regular quizzes, folk nights and cheese nights are held. Food is not served, but you’re welcome to bring your own – plates, cutlery and condiments are provided."
37 Bennetts Hill, City Centre, B2 5SN37 Bennetts Hill, City Centre, B2 5SN
Beer delivery?
Discover your online beer shop with Beerwulf. This is a unique opportunity to have beer delivered to your door. Don't forget to use a Beerwulf promo code for your next order!
Woodman
"Lovingly restored Victorian-era pub with original features preserved, including a gilded and etched mirror at the centre of the bar, period tiles and the old smoke room with (now discontinued) bell pushes in the wall for table service. Hearty pub food served between 12-7 every day. "
New Canal Street, Digbeth, B5 5LG
What is your favourite Birmingham pub? Tell us in the comments below
