The Old Horns, Birmingham

Large suburban Sizzling pubco outlet, retaining two separate bars, and with the larger one having a partly opened-out L-shaped layout refurbished in the usual anonymous semi-modern style. Also has a few tables out front for the better weather. Sadly, none of the three handpumps were operating (although there was a suggestion that the Doom Bar might be reappearing 'soon'), so the only slight surprise was finding Worthington's (£2.90) available instead of John Smith's.

Official site of The Old Horns - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk

Official site of The Old Horns - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk

Pleasant Sizzling pub on a busy road island junction. There is a modern/traditional decour blend, comfortable with usual Sizzling food bias. The drinking area is as you walk in, with the bar opposite, round the corner for food and traditional seating. Now has EPA and Pedigree on hand pull. Ok place

A large detached Sizzling pub/eatery situated on a busy traffic island, in white painted brick, with dormer windows and a patio area. The interior is one large open plan L-shaped room around the bar. It is, of course, mostly laid out for food, but there is a bar area at the far end with a pool table, dart board and TV. The decor is common style of plain walls of different colours; red, white and green featuring heavily. There is not much in the way of pictures and ephemera and the music was at a decent level. The clientele were mixed and it was pretty busy. We didn't eat - though i am happy to eat from the Sizzling menu - i just couldn't be bothered to stay due to the lack of beer choice. Beer; general keg stuff, but no MILD and no real ale. Sadly, nothing in the way of drink for me, so i left without even a coke - if only it were like its sister house, the Oak n Ash, which had a MILd and three real ales.