The Black Country Arms, Walsall

Official site of the Black Country Arms, contains list of the latest real ales as well as menus and event details - www.blackcountryarms.co.uk

A rather splendid old building that has been nicely refurbished both inside and out. From the front, you will note the graceful arched windows and bold columns at ground floor level, and looking upwards one can see the distinctive Black Country Ales/Traditional Inns logo inset into the stonework at roof level. Inside, the eye is immediately caught by a bar with a fantastic array of 16 (if I counted correctly) handpumps, including two ciders. Being spoilt for choice from the range of house beers and guests, I opted for the BFG (£2.40) and wasn't disappointed. The layout has been opened out a bit at some stage, but there are plenty of different seating areas at various levels meaning that it retains quite an intimate feel. Overall, very good indeed, and I was just a bit surprised that there were not more customers in.

Agree that it doesn't seem to have as many people in as it deserves - in fact the lack of customers was worrying on my visit. I think geographically it is tucked away in a part of the town where there are few other pubs or clubs and I dearly hope it doesn't suffer for it. Beautiful historic building, excellent choice of guest beers as well as the usual Black Country beers. Similar in size to the Wellington in Brum and just as good. Deserves to succeed.

The former Green Dragon pub, built onto the side of the old Guildhall (now Sophia's Italian Restuarant) which can be dated back to the 18th century at least, though earlier in other incarnations of the building. Brick facade, with blue and white paintwork and pillasters. The interior is open plan and on three levels, with the long bar on the second level. The decor is generally white and salmon, with wood panel, moulded ceiling and a few pictures to give a bit of colour. The music is of a decent level, service good, the clientele mixed, though amazingly i dont see the place as rammed out as it deserves to be - all the lager swilling kids going off to the town centre jungle. Smokers outside the door can be a bit off- putting, but its worth fighting your way through. Beer, a bit of tap tosh, but 13 real ales and a cider. Its is a Black Country Ales place, so had Fireside, Pig on the Wall MILD and BFG on all the time, leaving an odd ten guests. Amazing. Well kept. This is the only place in Walsall you could spend a full day without moving, as they do do a bit of food now. Miss this place and you deserve to have your ears fall off.

Basic single bar street corner boozer selling the full range of Fullers beers. although the Pride was not in very good condition i would assume this is not the norm. other than that it was a very nice comfortable pub.

Originally a pub called the Green Dragon then became a lap dancing bar but re-found its way as a pub again selling 14 real ales. No food though other than bar snacks. Not bad. The gaffer's efforts should be supported in the current climate.

Now reopened as a real ale pub, and renamed The Black Country Arms. Well worth a visit. Had about 12 different real ales when I visited,3 weeks ago.