The Whitley, Hawne, Halesowen

Another BCA pub situated in a place we didn’t expect to see one – quite a quiet area. Immaculately clean inside with a fire on the go which was gratefully received on a chilly day. ‘Modern traditional’ style with seating being almost all cloth banquettes though it was a bit bland overall. Dart board. Beer of the weekend was served-up here, a perfect Banks Mild (NBSS 5) by a cloth-eared barmaid who was good value once she’d warmed-up a bit. Can’t say I loved it but the beer quality speaks for itself.

Fine real ale pub, given the usual Black Country Ales treatment in the three main seating areas in an overall, partly opened-out, reversed J-shaped layout. Looks and feels like a proper community local on a Tuesday evening, with a darts match going on and plenty of good-natured chatter. From a total of 11 handpumps, I found three of the brewery's own beers, five guest ales - including Lizzie from the nearby Fixed Wheel (£3.65) - and a pair of ciders.

Yet another excellent Black Country Ales pub with a great selection of ales on offer. We went for Green Duck King Henry and Salopian Lemon Dream. Both were excellent. Add this to the Waggon, The Hawne and The Edward and you have a really good quartet of pubs with a wide selection of ales - and cobs!