The Botanist, Birmingham

Now The Botanist.

A rather good conversion of an old industrial canalside building in a part of the city which is beginning to resemble Rotterdam. Retaining (or perhaps restoring) a good number of original exterior features including a loading crane. Most of the action is in the front garden which affords a decent view of the water and opposite bank. The inside is fairly modish but tastefully done; distressed wood, chrome, that sort of thing. No cask though a fair set of bottles and a couple of interesting keg products including one from Siren and a pilsner from Sharps which was fine and clocked in at £2.50 a half. So not a destination for beer hunters really but a nice enough diversion for a lazy summer’s evening. 6.5