The Cross Inn, Finstall, Bromsgrove

Another cracking Black Country Ales pub. Very busy on my Wednesday lunch time visit. Almost every customer seemed to be enjoying a cob - and so did I! 5 guests alongside the usual ales and my pint of Wombat was excellent. This pub is obviously the hub of the local community and long may it continue. Well worth a visit.

Look like its had a recent makeover by the Black Country Ales. In their corporate colour scheme and immaculate paint job outside. Typical traditional BCA feel inside - with the same sort of unusual beers that you come to expect from them. There was also a very comprehensive list of ciders - which are kept outside. Busy on a rainy saturday afternoon and lovely to see. Good Beer Guide 2022 Entry.

Attractive and welcoming village inn with an unusual polygonal floorplan featuring a traditional bar area at the front and a similarly furnished side lounge (both with a good selection of local history photographs). Also has a small rear beer garden. Now run by Black Country Ales, with three of its beers featured on the seven of nine handpumps in use, plus Beowulf's Black & Blueberry (£3.45, and thankfully not cloyingly fruity) and three other guest beers from AJ's, Backyard and Hydes. Well worth the walk from Bromsgrove station.

Official site of The Cross Inn - www.blackcountryales.co.uk

Official site of The Cross Inn - www.blackcountryales.co.uk

The freehold has been bought by the Black Country Ales chain. Should be open again soon.