The Junction, Birmingham

Prominently situated near the top of High Street The Junction is a decent pub with 6 hand pulls although I thought £4.10p for a pint of Proper Job was a bit steep.

Situated in a fork in the road this is a nice looking pub. A thin bar area extends out to the rear which was mainly set up for diners. 6 handpumps on the bar with Doom Bore, Tribute, Bombardier being your dull choices and Purity UBU, Marston's 61 Deep and some beer called Tundra. Plenty of fizzly pop lager-a-likes available too. A decent enough pub.

Great location and impressive building. Huge dining area and a series of little leather seated snugs along the main bar. Quite a collection of real ales on - I went for the Timothy Taylor Landlord. A favourite. The pint was fine, even if it did have a slightly odd colour and took a while to settle down to be see through. Can't fault the place - This would be my local if I lived in the area. Some photos at bit.ly/1OLHiaR

Imposing wedge-shaped pub with some fine exterior detailing, still part of M&B but operating as one of the unbranded Castle outlets. Opened out and thoroughly refurbished inside since my last visit nearly 30 years ago, with furniture and decor comprising a mix of traditional and modern touches. Six handpumps on the counter, dispensing Doom Bar, Landlord, Pure UBU and Mad Goose from Purity, Navigation Apus and Andwell 5 Little Fishes (£3.80). Perhaps a bit upmarket for some traditionalists, but it is well worth a visit if in the area.

Good selection of ales but served too chilled for my taste.Modern open plan interior with the kitchen in the room.