The Wheatsheaf, Wolverhampton

This was our sixth pub of the day, and at this stage I think our group agreed it was the best so far and also that we were a little surprised to find it so. Possibly others share my prejudices about town centre pubs, which can be a bit rough around the edges and also not always too good when it comes to cask ale offerings and the condition of any that are offered. But the Wheatsheaf gets good marks on all counts, as it got my first NBSS 4 of the day for the Brakspear Gravity.

The Wheatsheaf has a small L-shaped bar area to the left of the entrance where an L-shaped serving counter faces high banquettes that run across the front wall. More banquette seating runs up the right-hand wall that is faced by some DJ equipment, I’m not sure if this was the origin of the 80s background music. In the far right is more seating where a fireplace sits on the right rear wall. The walls are adorned with military memorabilia and the ceiling is covered in Wolves flags, so I expect the governor is a local ex-serviceman. BT Sports is advertised and was muted on the couple of televisions I spotted. The food stretches to cobs from the bar. I counted ten hand pumps on the bar that were drawing Bank’s Amber and Mild, and Hobgoblin Gold and Amber alongside Old Rosie cider. The service was friendly and the ten or so older locals all seemed harmless enough, so I’d pop in for another decent pint of Banks if passing.

11am opener and full age range of punters - from kids running around, to old gents nursing a pint with the paper - at 11:15am. Hobgoblin and a chosen Banks Amber - which was decent, if not freezing cold. Nice front room with a traditional fireplace and unexpectedly, rather a lot of outside seating in a sheltered courtyard. Friendly staff.