The Red Lion, Bromsgrove

I received the warmest welcome of 4 pubs in Bromsgrove. And found the comfiest seats. Marstons house, kind of hidden in plain sight in the high street. I had never previously noticed it. Single roomer - a portrait of A E Houseman on the bar end. All solo men drinking on a friday afternoon, most on nodding terms. Two Cask on - Hobgoblin and an old Banks Bitter pump clip, which is Amber. This is £2.40 on weekdays and was in fine condition, even if it is a pale imitation of what the beer used to be.

Classic traditional high street boozer. 3 beers on offer when I called in - Brakspear Gold, 61 Deep and Banks's Bitter. I went for the Gold which was very good. Worth a visit.

Traditional high-street Marston's pub, given a bit of a makeover at some stage but still retaining some character in what is now a 'L'-shaped layout on two sides of the central counter. Busy on a Wednesday evening, with a quiz in full flow. No menus but cobs available. I found five of the six handpumps in operation, dispensing Banks's Bitter (just £2.40), 61 Deep, Old Empire IPA, Ringwood Boon Doggle and Brakspear Oxford Gold.

This is a small town centre Marston's house. As mentioned below it consists of an L shaped narrow room with wooden floors and the bar on the right. There are two TV screens which were showing music videos but BT Sport is advertised. It was fairly quiet on my Tuesday afternoon visit. I only managed to note five of the beers on the six hand pumps which were all from the Marston stable, Banks's Bitter, New World Pedigree, Ringwood Boondoggle & 49er and Wainwright. I went for the New World Pedigree (£2.74) which I hadn't tried before and was in excellent condition. This is an old school local that is worth a look but I didn't think it was anything special.