The Colebrook, Solihull

The building is so typical of the large road houses built by Midland breweries in the 1930,these days it's part of the Ember Inn chain and has recently had an extensive refurb.The front entrance opens onto the main serving bar ,L shaped and running along the rear wall.This supports two banks of five real ale handpumps and as my visit was on the first day of the refurb ,best attention had been paid to the ale range offering CW Bombardier,Brakspears Bitter,Ember Inns Pale (brewed by Black Sheep),Milestone Lion's Pride,Moorhouses Black Cat Reserve,Ilkley Mary Jane,Purity UBU,Sambrooks Session and a decent Dorset Brewing Citrus Maximus (£3.25).Pint pricing started at £2.70 with various price points up to £3.50 so there are some value options but often from low ABV brews.There are two wings to the interior either side of the bar in various different section nicely broken up so you dont feel like drinking in a barn,and there is a mix of furniture with some sofas,quite a few banquettes and more dining type tables.Decor was smart but still had a corporate feel .There are benches outside to the front and a rear beer terrace with views over the next door bowling green. Although food is served,Ember are careful this doesn't detract from a drinking atmosphere so all tables are numbered but there is no formal dining area.Likewise this also means there is no dedicated drinkers area and children will be evident throughout the interior.Given the pub was rammed on the Friday evening reopening,drinking was the order of the dasy,although I expect the atmosphere would be less pubby during the week and a weekend lunchtimes.The only flatscreen I could see was in the section to the right of the bar but this was only screening BBC News 24 ,so you wont get the footie crowd in here. I hope ,after the initial hype has died down,Ember decide to maintain a decent range of real ale in here as this is was a decent place to drink in an area not noted for solid real ale pubs.A bit of a walk from the Stratford Canal at the Drawbridge,but probably worth it.

The Colebrook Inn official page, contains menu and real ale details - www.emberinns.co.uk

The Colebrook Inn official page, contains menu and real ale details - www.emberinns.co.uk

My wife and I went here for a pub lunch,very nice clean interior with polite and friendly staff.The food was excellent.Although prior to the meal when we were brought our cutlery,it was dirty and still had dried food stuck to it.Not a great start.The young lad we told couldnt have been more apologetic.We probably would go back again.Just check your knives and forks before eating.