The Hop Garden, Birmingham

The Sportsman has reopened... and its brilliant atmosphere refurbished to a high standards. Ales beers and fine wine . dog friendly large grassed garden with under cover wooden canopy with heating... just a great old pub brought back to life... cheers

A detached creamy cottage style pub, with central entrance and olive green paintwork The interior is technically open plan though there are three areas. The decor is mainly creamy/yellowy paintwork, with a couple of bluey patterned wallpaper walls, with wood floor. There is a touch of the moderns about it, with candles and mirrors. There is a nice fireplace, with a Victorian grate. The service was OK, the clientele small and the music, more rock based, so thumbs up, at a decent level. Beer; tap stuff, with a good Highgate MILD and Highgate Old Ale and Davenports Bitter on handpull. A little unsure at first, thinking it looked a bit modern (especially when you have been to the Plough) but i warmed to this place. Again, i popped back before i managed to get this report on!