Ash, Sutton Coldfield

I've visited a couple of pubs in this chain previously, in Islington and in Chester. They follow a similar formula, the brewing vessels are on view as you enter, all gleaming copper, decor tends to be rustic, this one has some exposed brickwork, distressed timber wall boarding etc. A large tank contains hops and has a bit of hop related information, bullet point style, a full height curtain suggests one end of the room can be divided off. The long bar is on a back wall, there is a raised area at the far end, beyond the brewing equipment. Seating is at all sorts of different tables, one has a central fire pit. The previous incarnation can still be seen in areas with The Cup signage remaining externally plus the old leaded windows. There are ceiling fans which are located in areas where there are downlighters in the ceilings, this causes a strobe light effect which could be a serious issue for some people. Beers were served in large tankards with handles, they had their own 004 Oaks, Marksman, Sutton Pale Ale, The Cup and Black Belt.There was also Yellow Hammer Carnival cider. I think this was the dearest round of the day, averaging comfortably over £4 a pint. Food is important here and looked to be possibly the main reason why people were in on an early Saturday tea time. Worth a look if only for the novelty value of seeing the on-site brewery but not one to spend too much time in I think.

This was a bonus pub on my tour of North Birmingham Spoons. I found myself waiting at the bus stop outside and spotted the sign that the beers were brewed in an on-premises microbrewery. I discovered the next day that this is part of a small Southern based chain of pubs with this being the only one in the Midlands unless you include Gloucester in that area. Inside it's an open room with a wooden floor, bare brick and exposed walls. I suspect there are other areas as there seems to be an emphasis on food but I stuck to the bar area. The bar had eight hand pumps with a cider and the others all from their own brewers. I went for a Marksman IPA at which point I was asked if I wanted Marksman I or II. The first was brewed with American hops in Bristol and the second on site with German Hops. I went for the Bristol one which cost a whopping £4.40. It was a decent enough beer in reasonable condition but nothing outstanding. I thought the price was disgraceful for a 5.0% own brewed beer. It's an OK sort of place, I found it rather trendy but with prices like that it gets marked down and I wouldn't return. Assuming the prices are the same or higher I wouldn't visit their other outlets either especially as two are in Islington.