The Plough, Worcester

Corner pub with central servery reached up a short flight of stairs. At the top there is a small sitting room to the left the counter extending into here. A similar sitting room but without a counter is found to the right, with a door leading out to a smoking area. Five handpumps of ales from small and micro brewers plus one more with a cider, all in extraordinarily good nick. Good friendly atmosphere with slightly undergraduate humour from the bar staff. Traditionally furnished and basic décor, with malt whisky drums and a few nice prints, maps etc. Eclectic mix of customers from aging bikers to clerics, with the odd rather earnest ale drinker. The bar position at the top of stairs with a doorway each side makes bar blockers particularly irritating, one lot manging to block one doorway the stairs and half the bar on their own.

I simply call it as "The Greatest". Almost in my every visit to Brum, I always go to Wellys and PROPER real ale pub. No well known brands like Carling, John Smiths, Brew XI do ever sell, only real ales that is it. 15/16 real ales on ale, if you have problem choosing the beer and Television above the bar will help you. Resident Cat sometimes makes an appearance and will sleep on stool. No food served BUT you can bring your own, cutlery will provided. You can visit Old Joint Stock via Welly's back door.

This is the Worcester CAMRA pub of the year for 2009 and rightly so. You enter into a hallway with a few steps up to the bar (watch these when leaving after a few). The bar is right in front of you and there are two fairly small cosy rooms to the left and right both with real fires. Both rooms are full of bric-a-brac and a right old mix of stools, chairs and settles. There’s also a patio out the back where lots of people were drinking even though it was pretty cold, it’s also where the gents toilets are. On both our visits the pub was full of an eclectic mix of people, all very friendly. When we went in on the second night we were greeted like long time friends by the landlord and staff. The landlord was telling his "jokes" to everyone who came to the bar. It’s an original way of keeping the bar clear for people who want to get served!! 6 handpumps selling Hobson’s Mild & Bitter, 3 changing guests and a real cider. All the pints I had (and I had quite a few over 2 nights) were in excellent condition. It’s a cracking little pub and a must visit if in Worcester.