The Little Ale House, Bromsgrove

Dull-looking micro-pub, but once inside you find it's the real deal. Up to six real ales are available on gravity from a split-level stillage behind the compact bar plus a solitary handpump on the counter. I went for the reliable Hobson's Mild (£3.30), but the other choices looked good too. Minus point - the side bench seats are too high. Plus point - Andy's Music Group practicing / performing!

Micro pub thats been in the Good Beer Guide for the last four years. Very shoppy looking micro pub - with a long bench (under which they store the barrels) and one leather sofa looking out over the street. Friendly staff manning a racking system offering 5-6 gravity fed barrels. They explained in detail all the beers. I was half thinking off going for a bottle but not that many on offer and unlike others of the ilk, no menu to peruse. The Woodcote Oatmeal Stout was a local brew - tasted delicious and only suffered from a lack of life from the gravity feed. I'd come back.

This is a genuine micropub concentrating on ales and cider. It's a rectangular shop conversion with the bar at the back. There is a bench down the left side with the usual high tables and chairs, some of the tables seem to have been constructed from old sherry casks. I was the only one in on my Tuesday afternoon visit. They don't have a cold room here but rely on cooling jackets. Beers noted were Holden's Golden Glow, Oakham Citra, Wye Valley HPA, Urban Huntsman Session Amber and two from Malvern Hills that I couldn't read. I went for the Urban Huntsman which seemed to be in good nick but was a rather unexciting beer. The landlord who also tried it seemed to think so as well! I thought this was OK as a micropub but may be better at a time other than that when most of these places are closed.