Lych Gate Tavern, Wolverhampton

We arrived at this, our fourth pub of day, to find it busy with a lunchtime crowd. Service was prompt and efficient and we were able to find space for our group, which now numbered nine after a couple of latecomers joined. I didn't count the number of hand pumps, but the beers seemed to be slightly more from Titanic than Black Country Ales. I'm not a big fan of either brewery, and I spent quite a lot of time trying to identify what seemed like a herbal flavour to both my half of First Class and to a lesser extent my half of White Line. I think it might be the first time I've had either of these beers, or the first I can remember, and one of my drinking companions said that's just the Titanic style. Whatever the flavour, the quality, condition and temperature were all as one would hope to find (NBSS 3.5). The bar is downstairs from street level, and as someone helpfully informed me before we arrived, the toilets are upstairs, but there is a lift to take you in either direction; I don't yet feel the need for such assistance, but it's good to know anyway.

BCA boozer opened in 2012, located down some steps in a 16th-cum-18th century (I think) building with the interior bedecked in the corporate style and fairly compact, perhaps not unexpected given its age. My Oakham Green Devil was excellent (NBSS 4). Notes otherwise sparse but I know I enjoyed my visit.

Steps from the entrance to the Lych Gate Tavern lead down to the main bar area that has floral wallpaper and feels a little like a living room. An L-shaped serving counter faces banquette seating that runs up the right. The front seating area has banquettes up the left and a fireplace on the right wall next to a lift that rises up to the entrance above. This is a Black Country Ales pub so their Citra Sublime, BFG, Fireside and Pig on the Wall were available alongside Filenfoel Brewery’s Captain’s Choice, Sharp’s Twin Coast, Stancill Brewery’s No 7, Mad Squirrel Brewery’s London Porter, Facer’s Brewery’s North Star Porter (not my favourite of the day) and Lilley’s Bee Sting cider. A very limited keg range was also available from the polite barmaid who can also supply cobs for £2.50 a pop. The likes of Ella Fitzgerald were playing in the background, the only television was being used to display the available beers. The toilets are upstairs, as is another bar with seating and four of the cask options from downstairs alongside the same limited keg. This place is worth a look.

You'd struggle finding it if you didn't know it was there, but once inside this is a splendid drinkers' pub with the typical Black Country Ales excellent range of beers. We had a Fownd Elephant Rider from Kidderminster, which proved to be very good indeed. A nice atmosphere too, with a good crowd of cheery punters, although there is some overflow space upstairs if too crowded. Certainly include on a visit to the city centre.

Black Country Ales pub in the city centre. The entrance is located along an alleyway next to the church. After negotiating the bouncer (as with all Wolverhampton city centre pubs, it is home fans only a Wolves matchday), we descended the steps into the small bar. Further seating can be found down more stairs in an outdoor courtyard. The usual Black Country Ales are on - BFG, Fireside & Pig on the Wall, along with a number of guests - Elgood's New World Session, Sharp's Atlantic, Mallinson's NZ Double, Titanic Plum Porter & Salopian Lemon Dream. The real cider was Thistly Cross Whisky Cask. Samosas and possibly other snacks were available, but soon sold out after the influx of football fans. Certainly one of the better pubs in the city centre, but there are better pubs in Wolverhampton (if you are allowed in them) and there are also better Black Country Ales pubs across the region.