The Swan, Stourbridge

Quite the selection of pubs in this little triangle of roads in Amblecote. Found recognised by the Good Beer Guide, seemingly every year. The Swan has a very smart interior and a roaring fire lit on one of the warmest late October days we have experience. A central bar, with seating running around in an L Shape. Rear beer garden that may have been closed permanently for Winter. Beer wise - a selection of the usual breweries - Hobsons, Holdens - but one beer - A Green Hop Town Crier was both unusual and beautiful. A Tuesday afternoon visit and when I left, there were no other punters.

Attractive pub both externally and inside, with an opened-out but traditionally furnished and decorated U-shaped interior. Six cask ales - Black Country Bitter and Golden Glow (£4.40) from Holden's, Hobson's Town Crier, Salopian Hop Twister, Hop Back's Crop Circle and Man o' Hoy from faraway Orkney - a cider and a perry from a total of eight handpumps. Doing good business on a Monday night, and you could see why.

CAMRA page of The Swan - camra.org.uk

CAMRA page of The Swan - camra.org.uk

Official site of The Swan - www.theswanamblecote.co.uk

Official site of The Swan - www.theswanamblecote.co.uk

Nasty snot green exterior. Decent interior if a bit gloomy and not many people were in. My Birmingham BC Blonde Brummie was in decent nick (NBSS 3.5). Owned by the same people as the upmarket Red Lion down the road. GBG’23 listed. 6.5