Crystal Fountain, Cannock

Rather austere brick building that could be mistaken from a distance as something like a 1930s telephone exchange, but which proves to be a little more interesting than that... The multi-room interior hasn't been changed too much since it was built, which - whilst unspectacular - makes it of sufficient interest to feature on Camra's national inventory. Only the public bar and central snug were open when I visited, with the lounge going back from the other entrance just visible across the counter and apparently a function room and beer garden beyond. On the other hand, the beer selection is disappointing for a Black Country Ales house, with BFG (£3.10) and Fireside supplemented by Banks's Mild, Doom Bar and two ciders.

This is a typical brick built inter war pub. I got here around 12:30 on a Saturday and went in the front bar to find it empty. It's a rectangular carpeted room with a dart board at one end and further space on the other side of the bar that I didn't investigate. A radio was tuned to the bland Smooth Radio. I saw six hand pumps which had BCA Fireside and BFG plus a cider. The guest ales however were a double whammy of dross consisting of Doom Bore and M&B Brew XI. Seeing Brew XI again made a nightmare from the distant past come back to haunt me again. Apparently it's now brewed by Brains in Cardiff, a brewery that is a master of the production of dull pedestrian beers. Banks's Mild was on the blackboard but I didn't see a clip. I went for the BFG (£3.20) which wasn't clear and tasted no more than reasonable. I wonder if this place has gone downhill since the previous reviews. It's not listed on the 2018 BCA real ale trail and probably just as well. Despite any CAMRA inventory merits I thought it was poor.