Hopwood House, Birmingham

Official site of Hopwood House - www.hopwoodhousepub.co.uk

Official site of Hopwood House - www.hopwoodhousepub.co.uk

A detached canalside Marston's pub and eatery, with patio, beer garden and kid's play area. Opened in the early to mid-19th century, this pub was once called the Wharf Inn. It had become the Hopwood House Hotel by 1904. The heart of the pub is still that plain brick early cottage pub, with bay windows and a porch. It has been significantly added to since, including a conservatory area. The interior is an open plan foody room on two levels. The decor is a mix of red, white, coffee and brick. The place was the modern touches; twigs and sculpture for example, however, there is a grandfather clock, a Marston's history display and old photos of the canal and local area to balance it off. There was no TV that i saw and the music was general and at a decent level. I did eat here and it was fine enough. The service was fine and everyone seemed to be eating - not a place for a pint really. Beer; usula tap stuff with Peroni. On handpull there were Hobgoblin, Pedigree, Sunbeam and Pedigree New World Pale, which was pretty flat looking and a bit dull. Far better than some of their usual food places, it is worth popping in if with the family and in need of food - zip up the road to the Coach and Horses if you just want a beer.

A much extended Marstons eatery close to the canal,with the drinking area around the bar while the table service dining area is in the back of the building.Four handpumps were dispensing Wychwood Cherrypicker,Hobgoblin,Pedigree and Banks's Mild from the Marston brewery portfolio and in acceptable form.The internal decor is in the modern pubco style and the flooring was in a contemporary wooden finish.Twigs in evidence. Functional for a quick beer but not my kind of choice for a session,the huge glass rotisserie to one side of the bar certainly gets the gastric juices flowing.