The Arthur Robertson (JD Wetherspoon), Birmingham

A branch of Wetherspoon's in a busy shopping centre that is currently blighted by roadworks and heavy traffic. There was a typical Wetherspoon's clientele on a Saturday lunchtime visit. Staff were really good and for the first time this year, I managed to use a 50p off voucher. Greene King Abbot & Ruddles Best are the regular ales. Guests were Green Jack Jackalope & Black Hole Cosmic. Ciders were Weston's Old Rosie & Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon. My son was in tow on this visit and he managed to knock an apple juice (the closest to cider) over. The staff had noticed and quickly came around with a cloth and a replacement juice, which they really didn't need to do. Very impressed with this service. Wetherspoon's also appear to be gradually increasing their guest ale selection since they've re-opened. So, things are looking up.

Standard shopping centre Spoon's which was quite busy on my early evening visit. Decent choice of beers on (probably due to the current festival) including Butcombe Haka, Ishii Minagof Juicy IPA and a couple of others. The 3 I tried were spot on and a bargain at £2.10 a pint. Happy to have called in.

This is a Spoons that's handy for both the Bus and Railway Stations. Inside it's an open plan rectangular room with the bar at the rear. There are two good features of this one, the first is that the toilets are on the ground floor and the second is that they haven't crammed in too many tables making it much more comfortable than some. The beer choice from the ten hand pumps was more average with the JDW Trio Of Doom and Hook Norton Nerdherder IPA doubled up leaving room for just Lymestone Ein Stein & some football themed rubbish from them. I noticed three ciders from the upcoming festival in the fridge so went for them. Having had an extended stay here I got to quite like it.

Safe to say, its not going to be bothering CAMRAs Heritage Pub Guide any time soon. Very typical Wetherspoons. Could be anyone in the land - apart from when you are served you food and the waiter says "Did you order Nosh?" Decent pint of Doom Bar and good value meal. Photos at my walking blog - http://bit.ly/1X8oS7H