The Fountain Inn, Tipton

A lively roadside pub, at least it was when I was here on a Thursday lunchtime. Everyone was eating except me, all tables were taken and consequently I wasn't sitting either. I saw that the home-made curry was £7.50 and cobs were advertised at £1 to £1.30, and a saw quite a few plates loaded with chips and fried eggs and gammon too. More importantly, on the bar were five hand pumps (see photo); I went for the Abbot Ale, which was in very good nick (NBSS 3.5). Date of visit: 23rd November 2023

Official site of The Fountain Inn - www.thefountaintipton.co.uk

Official site of The Fountain Inn - www.thefountaintipton.co.uk

A good traditional and well kept pub, with a respectable clientele. The interior was carpeted throughout, traditional upholstered banquette seating with matching chairs and white painted rendered walls. Four handpumps serving Holdens Golden Glow, Robinsons Dizzy Blonde, Wye Valley HPA and Abbot. We went for the HPA which was in great shape.

A former Banks’ pub, this is now opened-out and modernised but a cosy place nonetheless; white grey and purple colourings (yes really, but it works), pub carpet, ice lighting. Very friendly barmaid, great banter for the two minutes she sorted our order out. GBG 21 listed with three cask offerings over five (I think) pumps – whether this was a deliberate reduction to help turnover or simply running out, there was at least a guarantee of freshness and my Wye Valley HPA was close to perfect (NBSS 4.5) – other ales were Castle Rock Harvest Pale and (oddly?) GK Abbot. Really bustling atmosphere and I enjoyed my stop here.