Distillery, Birmingham

Was walking past on the canal, so thought I would pop in. A sheltered courtyard, with a massive TV Screen for the football. Inside, a narrow bar. At first, I couldnt see the beer offerings - the draughts are suspended from the top of the bar, rather than on the bar. All keg. An Attic Pale ale stood out amongst your standard offerings but I though £6.50 was a bit high.

A rather insipid modern pub. The inside is all wooden floored and bare bricked with an industrial feel. Open plan and aimed squarely at the cocktail crowd. I couldn't see any real ale even though previous reviews suggest its on. A gin distillery is prominent on entering. Crafty fizzpops and, naturally, a vast array of spirits on offer. I wasnt overkeen on this place but if you like your sparkly new bars then this is for you.

A recent refurbishment has changed the vibe in here,it has an upmarket feel in keeping with the fine Victorian building.If entering from Sheepcote Street ,you will be greeted by a gin still to the right,a vaulted roof and solid wooden furniture with a wooden floor.The island bar has a few keg pumps but no real ale,and a long chalkboard list of gins.The windows give good views of the historic Roundhouse next door which is undergoing restoration.It's a pleasing reminder of industrial Birmingham before all the redevelopment on the area.There is also a back room with its own service counter which can be hired for private functions.Food is served. There are stairs down to a ground floor bar which also has access across the cobbled coutyard to the canal towpath,and this smaller area seemed best suited to drinkers with the bar sporting three handpumps offering on my trip Purity UBU and Green Duck Sitting Duck with the third clip reversed.It has a cosy feel down here. Maybe of more interest to industrial archaeologists than real ale drinkers but so much better than the identikit bars further towards Broad Street.

Newly reopened and refurbished as a live music pub on two levels. Main bar and fair-sized stage at street level, with a separate lounge at one end. Brightly lit inside when not in use as a venue. More seating downstairs and outside at canal level. Three of five handpumps on operation when I visited, with Doom Bar, Theakston XB and Purity Pure UBU (£3.20) available, with reversed clips for Deuchar's IPA and Purity Mad Goose also noted.

Large two level canalside pub in part of historic roundhouse. Lots of brick and also iron columns with central staircase separating the two floors. The top level on Sheepscote Street gives the impression of a much smaller pub and has a vaulted almost barn like structural roof inside. There is a stage at one end for weekend live music. There is also a function room at this level. Downstairs is a more rambling area with its own bar and runs to the canal at one end. High ceilings, wood floor and tradional farmhouse style kitchen tables all with daffodil displays. There is a small outside area for benches near the canal and a gate gives access at this level. Now run by the nearby canal wharf, they offer a Sunday luch cruise as part of the new food setup for £16.50 per head. There were 3 real ales on offer, including Theakstons XB, a nod to the previous pub, but the beer quality still has some way to go (the pub has not been open long). The staff are super keen at this early stage. Its near the National Indoor Arena and a great addition to Birmingham Central.

This pub has been closed since the last review. It appears though that there are plans afoot to redevelop this canalside pub and the small area around it, turning it into a bar/restaurant. As yet, it remains as it was.