The Billiard Hall, West Bromwich

Typical Wetherspoon's in a former billiard hall, of course. It has the advantage of being all at ground level (including the toilets) and the tables are not too densely packed, which gives a reasonably spacious feel. Also shows enthusiasm for beer, with a fair choice of interesting guest ales alongside the usual suspects, and a list of 'upcoming' guests too. Cask Marque accredited.

As mentioned before this is a single open plan room with a slightly raised area at the rear. I came here on an early Tuesday afternoon to find it fairly busy. I noticed while entering a poster advertising What Pub and suggesting people submit beer scores. The menu holder on the table I sat at claimed that the pub has the "Largest Real Ale Selection In West Bromwich". On my visit three of the twelve hand pumps were unused and the Caledonian International beer doubled up. Ignoring the JDW Trio Of Doom (a perfectly reasonable thing to do) that left four other beers Slater's Premium, Exmoor Gold, Sadler's Hop Bomb and Backyard Blonde. By my reckoning that puts it equal with the Holden's Wheatsheaf up the road. Putting all that aside, I went for the Sadler's Hop Bomb (£2.30) which was in first class condition. Despite their bravado I thought this was one of the better West Midland Spoons. I haven't been to either of the two pubs listed for West Bromwich in the 2016 GBG.

This Wetherspoon's - in an unpromising position at the back of the bus station - retains an interesting façade from its former use but is almost entirely characterless inside. Perhaps I was unlucky, but much of the clientele would reinforce the (usually unfair) criticism aimed at this chain. With seven of 12 handpumps on operation, the seasonal Burton Bridge Tasty Tackle (charged at £2.05 although £2.20 was displayed beneath the clip) was about the pick of the bunch.