Prince of Wales, Birmingham

A proper pub, but one I have somehow managed to miss until now. You enter the premises with its simple, yet attractive façade, to find a fine old-school bar with an imposing dark-wood bar-back. The furniture is basic, and the decor relatively plain, but the place was buzzing on a Thursday evening. Further back, you can see an impressive central tiled corridor, with features such as the main staircase and a two side rooms demonstrating the heritage interest here. Equally important, there was a fine selection of real ale - ranging from the Fixed Wheel Chain Reaction (£3.80) to Titanic Plum Porter and Thornbridge Jaipur - and two ciders from eight of ten handpumps.