The Royal George, Birmingham

Corner pub, now extended with some basic hotel accommodation at the back. Retaining two bars, the modernised lounge at the front benefits from an unexpected real fire (if little else), and the larger rear room had a boisterous crowd in for a Tuesday night. No real ale, of course, and a fairly limited range of keg beers, but at least the Worthington's only costs £2.40.

This pub is near unrecognisable now from the photo (too dark for me to take one). It is had a hotel built to the side and the pub itself, which looks Victorian, has been taken back to the brickwork, has black stringcourses and new signage. The interior has two rooms, the back one being all in darkness at my visit. The front room is the bar and is a slight triangular shape. It is in light blue and white, with a white deiling and wood floor. There are bench seats and a bare brick fireplace. A few prints of Brum and Blues player photos on the walls. There is a jukebox (no music was on) and a TV, which was showing general programmes. The service was friendly enough and a couple of mature locals and hotel guests (working blokes up on a job) formed the clientele. There was a friendly atmosphere. Beer; no real ale, usual tap stuff although the M&B MILD wasn't on - so I had a shandy. Tidy enough, just nothing for the real ale fan.

This pub is very close to Birmingham City FC and is very popular with home fans.