The Craven Arms, Birmingham

It has been far too long since I last took the short stroll from Broad Street. Another rock solid pub from one of my favourite chains. You know what to expect - 3 house beers plus half a dozen guests. My Mallinson's NZ Double was spot on. So was the Aussie Blonde I tried next. A great looking pub from the outside too. Well worth a visit.

I really enjoyed my first time visit to the Craven Arms. After the noise and bustle of the Colemore, a much more relaxed seated session in this fine Black Country Ales owned traditional pub with fellow PuG crawlers and a top notch beer selection to choose from. Alongside the house Pig on the Wall Mild and BFG golden ale from Black Country there was Sharps Sea Fury, Primate Best Bitter and BG Sips Pale Ale from Blue Monkey Brewery, Phoenix Brewery Green Swan, Brew 61 Spring Meadow IPA and Fownes Brewing Korvak’s Burden Breakfast Stout. I went for the Blue Monkey Primate which was very good but I got smoky chocolate and caramel undertones which I wasn’t really expecting in a Best Bitter and had me thinking I should do a lateral flow test when I got home that night. Fortunately a quick google of the Blue Monkey web site detailed the malts used and I was relieved to discover it wasn’t just me. Good service levels from the bar staff and I will certainly be looking this one up again when I am next in Brum.