Mount Pleasant (The Stump), Sedgley, Dudley

This was my first visit to this pub, partly because it doesn’t open until 6.30pm on a Friday. Perhaps a classic case of not judging a book by its cover. Despite looking small and dark from the outside it’s actually a decent size, going back a long way, and it’s lit well enough. The ale choice offered something different in the form of Derby Quint Essential, Crannog Beyond the Pale, Ossett Excelsior, Old Swan Bumblehole, Fallen Angel, Enville Ginger, Salopian Hop Twister and Oakham Bishops Farewell. I liked it and would happily return.

This is a brilliant real ale pub which is a privately owned free house, the building dates from around 1835 and is predominantly red brick but a mock Tudor half timber façade with double gable ends and leaded windows has been added at some point. The interior has two rooms, a public bar at the front and a lounge at the back, these are accessed by a long corridor down the right hand side of the building and the two rooms are divided by a double sided bar counter. The public bar has the bar counter with stained glass above at the back of the room, a brick fire place with cast grate and large branded mirror above is in the left wall, dark wood beams and central pillars, dart board on small back left patch of wall next to the counter, red fabric bench seats, medieval style tapestries, prints and a musket on the walls. Further down the corridor is the entrance to the lounge, this has the counter across the front wall (backing on to the front bar) and a partial dividing wall between two levels, red fabric bench seats and timber beams, in the dividing wall opposite the counter is a coal burning stove, a second stove is in the very back wall of the room, on the wall next to this is a framed history and old plan of the pub. At the end of the corridor is a door that leads out to a patio with a couple of picnic tables. Regular ales are currently RCH Stumpy (house bitter) and Oakham Bishops Farewell with up to six changing guest beers, on this visit they were Millstone True Grit, RCH Double Header, Holden’s Special, Olde Swan Bumble Hole, Saltaire Cascade Pale Ale and Enville Ginger (GBG 2012). I sampled the Stumpy and the Pale Ale, both were in excellent condition in my opinion. A superb drinkers pub, with a great selection of beers on offer. The décor is very traditional and the pub has good character. I have been informed by a regular that the pub was called the Flaming Stump many years ago and this is why the locals still refer to it as the Stump. As mentioned by other reviewers, the opening times are a little strange for such a good pub, with it only opening at 7pm most days. But the place is usually packed, especially Friday and Saturday evenings, although be assured that you will not find any gangs of weekend lager louts in here. I always look forward to visiting and long may that continue.

Mock Tudor pub known locally as 'The Stump' I understand. There are a number of small rooms served by a long corridor from the entrance, the rooms are similar with more mock beams & comfortable seating, though has the feel of a local and is not the largest pub in the world. Local interest on the walls, including the original architects plans. There is no pipped music. Staff were pleasant & with real fires going it is a friendly, small, comfortable place to drink. Nice array of real ales, well kept with some local choice included. The pub does not open lunchtimes, except on a Sunday. 3.5 stars if that was an option.