The Great Western, Wolverhampton

I found the barmaid in here to be very friendly and I was served a decent pint of Guinness. There is a standard draught selection and I do not recall there being any hand pumps for real ale. Food is served and although there was nobody eating there was a strong smell of bacon Super Noodles wafting around the pub. It is a single room corner pub that has been decked out with lots of potted plants giving it a quirky feel and although it was quiet on my visit there was a decent atmosphere from the harmless locals. There are three plasma screens and also a projector screen that was rolled up during my visit. Sky sports is shown, but as no football was on some inoffensive background music was playing. There are disco lights on the walls, behind the bar and hanging from the ceiling and I’d imagine when they are all blazing away on the advertised live music nights this pub may be visible from space. This is not a pub I would actively seek out, but it would be perfectly acceptable for a swift pint or maybe a couple of frames of pool on their table.

A Holden’s traditional pub, open plan with three distinct areas, bar, long narrow lounge on the left and a small snug with a dart board on the right. They are served by three real coal fires and are gathered around a small central bar which faces the main entrance. To the rear of the pub there is a conservatory, which is mainly used for dining. Decorations include steam railway, vintage bus and Wolves FC memorabilia. Gets very busy when Wolves are playing at home. Regular Ales are Holden’s Bitter, Mild, Golden Glow, Special, Bathams Bitter and two changing guest beers usually from small breweries in the West Midlands or neighbouring counties (GBG2010). Fantastic Traditional pub, a must if you’re a real ale fan in Wolverhampton or just visiting. I love this place.

A solitary brick built pub, with some white render and rear beer patio, near the old Wolverhampton Lower Level Station (GWR station). It is approached along cobbled streets that remind one of the old 'Hovis' adverts, or the London of Sherlock Holmes. This place isnt a pub, its an experience. The interior is all open plan, with three areas. The bar faces you entry through the main door and here is the first seatong area, in bar style. Go around the bar to the right and there is a small dart room, with fireplace. Go to the left and there is a long room, more lounge style, that ends in a conservatory, where music and dance floor can be found. The decor is white, with a plethora of mainly railway memorabilia. The service is generally very good, the clientele mixed to mature - certainly those that know, or like real ale. Beer; tap stuff, with Murphys. Handpulls include; Holdens MILD, Bitter, Golden Glow and Special, Bathams Bitter, with a couple of guests; Enville Ale and Salopian Golden Thread. The Holdens MILD, Special, Enville and Bathams were on top form, i am reliably informed, so was the Salopian. The best place in Wolverhampton (a notable mention to the Posada though). I felt like Charlie Bucket finding the golden ticket when i saw my favourite MILD and arguably my top three bitters (Butty Bach is up there) arranged neatly at the same bar. I would have eaten, but i had missed the serving times. Take the time and find it, if you get lost, ask a barrow-boy.

What a joy to visit an old style pub with a fine aray of REAL ALES. On my visit Holdens staring at £1-90 a pint for mild plus a number of guests (Skinner's Heligan Honey on my visit with a total of 7 beers on hand pull. Great Western Railway and Wolves memorabilia cover all walls in the pub. Arestaurant is situated at the rear but not sure when this is open. Fences off car park at the rear plus an outdoor drinking area. This pub has won many awards over the years and is a must for anyone visiting the area and a good excuse too miss a train or two from the near by station.

Best pub in Wolverhampton. Draught Batham's and Holden's plus guest beers.

This is THE premier real ale pub in Wolverhampton!!! Check out the good pub guide, CAMRA members actually meet here.