White Horse, Birmingham

This is an excellent free house dating from 1861 which has retained the feel of a traditional local’s pub, the interior has two rooms, a large public bar on the right and a small snug on the left. On entering the pub you will first see the public bar which stretches from the front to the back of the building, it has a bar counter along the left hand wall, timber beams, an electric fire at the back with a large flat screen TV above and a second TV on the back left wall, both were showing football. Above the bar was another flat screen TV which was displaying a list of the beers that were on with their strengths and colour. The small snug has a tiny bar counter in the back right hand corner which links to the other counter in the public bar, there were only three tables and fabric bench seating, on the walls were old photos of the area and several modern paintings by a local artist which were for sale. At the front of the pub is a patio area with a couple of picnic style tables. In the snug was one of the pubs three resident cats who was curled up asleep on a chair, so have a good look before you sit down anywhere in this pub! Regular ales are Green King IPA, Abbot Ale and Wells Bombardier with up to seven changing guest beers and a cider. Some of the guests on my visit were Sharps Doom Bar, ABC Aston Mild, Arkell’s Summer Ale, Two Towers Birmingham Special Ale and Beowulf Dragon Smoke Stout (Cask Marque and GBG 2011). I made a comment to the barman about the wide selection of beers available and he informed me that they try to always have a guest Mild and Stout or Porter. A great real ale pub with traditional décor and character, the electric fire and modern paintings were a little out of place but I think the paintings were being sold to help a charity which is obviously very commendable. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit Harborne before but this is the first pub I would choose to go to if I were to visit again as I liked the building and the beer range was interesting and well kept.

A very traditional pub just off the high street, its has not been updated or spoilt inside, the two rooms have been knocked into one and surround the central bar. There is a flat screen TV showing the 9 different real ales, ala The Wellington in Birmingham City Centre. The best beer quality I tried in Harborne, though the service was miserable!

A nice little cottage styled white rendered detached pub, with small patio, just off the High St The interior has two rooms, a small lounge and a long bar, which opens up into a seating area with a fake fireplace! The decor is brown, white and a toffee colour, with mainly wood floor. There is a mix of some strange arty pictures and some old photos and memorabilia. There is Sky TV in the wood panelled seating area. The music was mixed and at a decent level, the service was good, the clientele a little more to the mature side. Beer; tap stuff and 12 real ale handpulls(incl a cider or two). There is a screen with all the beers on graded according to colour, like the Wellington in Brum. Also like the Wellington, it isnt that cheap. The Holden's Golden Glow was excellent mind you. The best of the Harborne pubs - i agree, though there is some competition. I have already returned since writing this report. A must.

Easily the best pub in whole of Harborne. Wonderful small pub but dont let size of pub turn you down. Around 8 real ales on sale. No Carling or usual bitter brands. They have resident cat walking around, will not stop miaow at you until you gave the cat a food. I had pint of Hanson's Porter which is OUTSTANDING!Friendly people nodding or saying "All right?" as I walked in and I felt at home already. Truly brilliant pub and deffo will return.

Official site of the White Horse, includes real time real ale tracker - www.whitehorseharborne.com

Official site of the White Horse, includes real time real ale tracker - www.whitehorseharborne.com

Good basic pub just off Harborne High St. 3 or 4 good quality real ales in sparsely furnished house. Frequented by savvy students at Birmingham University. This is my pub of choice whenever in the area. Parking nearby in council car park. Just off main bus route out of Birmingham to Harborne.

Good basic pub just off Harborne High St. 3 or 4 good quality real ales in sparsely furnished house. Frequented by savvy students at Birmingham University. This is my pub of choice whenever in the area. Parking nearby in council car park. Just off main bus route out of Birmingham to Harborne.