The Coach & Horses, Birmingham

This is a detached pub and restaurant, with beer garden area. It is in the GBG and home to the Weatheroak Brewery. The pub became a beerhouse sometime after 1830, likely to serve the passing coach trade. It is a multi-building site, with the main part of the pub being in white render, although the windows are a little modern and the brick restaurant extension looks a little incongruous. The interior has a couple of rooms - I didn't see the restaurant. The bar is in two parts, off to the left there is a room, in white and green, with a black and red tile floor, a red fireplace, prints on the walls and settles and stools for seating. The front bar has a red tile floor, is in white, with a few brasses, high stools and old radios as speakers. The bar is of brick. Up a few steps is the lounge (people were eating here too). It is in white, with a wood floor and a red and beam open roof. It is a brick fireplace and chimney, mirrors and prints, as well as tables and chairs and the odd pouffe for seating. There was no music and I didn't see a TV. The service was fine and the place was busy with a mixed clientele. Beer; usual tap stuff with Woods Shropshire Lass, Hook Norton Old Hookey, Holden's Special and Golden Glow, Hobson's MILD and Best, Weatheroak IPA, Gold and Dark Horse. I tried several of the drinks and they were very good. Something for everyone here - a traditional bit for me and the modern bit for the, well, moderny people. Definitely worth a visit - a place you can stay for hours.

A rather nice country pub not from from M42. Nice modernised country inn with a bar an lounge which are quite small and a restaurant extension, though what possessed them to build the extension in modern brick is beyond me. The seating is quite modern, a number of sofas and the like, not always my kind of thing but here I found it comfortable and relaxing. I think they still brew there own beer here and there is a choice of 8 real ales, tasting great and kept very well. A very pleasant visit.

Further to the earlier comment, the pub may be difficult to find if you go by the address stated! It may have a 'B' post code, but Alvechurch has its own identity and is a good 12 miles from Brum!

Official site of the Coach & Horses, contains details of real ales from its Weathoak Brewery - www.coachandhorsesinn.co.uk

Official site of the Coach & Horses, contains details of real ales from its Weathoak Brewery - www.coachandhorsesinn.co.uk

Superb free house. Has own brewery & beers. Several other real ales, good food. Large car park. Difficult to find as nowhere near a main road.