The Navigation Inn (JD Wetherspoon), Birmingham

Seeing that this was a new entry into the 2024 Good Beer Guide, I made a trip by bus to Kings Norton to check it out. This is a fairly large suburban Wetherspoon's that feels much more modern than most of the original branches. Of course, it is much newer than other branches and it actually manages to feel quite bright inside, despite the heavens opening outside. Arriving at the bar, I found that people were forming orderly queues for service, which always presents me with the dilemma as to whether to follow the crowd or just wander up to the bar anywhere like I would in any normal pub. I chose to comply with the masses on this occasion, which in hindsight was probably the wrong choice! The trio of doom were on, alongside two guests - Bowman Swift One & Byatt's Phoenix Gold. Ciders were Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon & Weston's Old Rosie. A kitchen is clearly visible to the left-hand side of the pub. Parking is available, if you register your car at the console at the bar.

Newly opened - and much extended - 'spoons based around a former pub of the same name (although the canal is not exactly next door). Anyway, it has been given the semi-traditional treatment more characteristic of the earlier conversions with some dark-wood panelling and furniture. However, there is a mix of seating / dining areas and a patio beer garden, so plenty of space (although it was quite full on a Thursday evening). With eight clips on the two banks of six handpumps, I found (allowing for a couple of duplicates): Doom Bar and Abbot plus Wildcat from Cairngorm, Sambrook's Junction and the local Lobster from Printworks (£1.99).