The Whippet Inn, Lichfield

A small micropub clustered around several other pubs at this end of town, it was pretty much full to capacity on our recent Saturday afternoon visit and we just managed to squeeze in on the last remaining seats. It’s an unusual wedge shape with a wide frontage letting in plenty of natural light. Décor wise it’s a little less basic than many micropubs and was quite pleasant with turquoise paintwork on the upper part of the walls with some unusual wooden block down below illuminated with downward facing LED strip, bench seating around much of the perimeter and pale wooden flooring. Further seating was small turquoise stools, and there was good selection of artwork on the walls, many of it music related including a large painting of the Rolling Stones. Beers on tap were Three Blind Mice Guji Coffee Stout, Blue Bee Where is my Mind?, Shiny Bold Bitter, Black Iris Demon Cleaner and Redwillow Wreck Less. The solitary cider meanwhile was Celtic Marshes Abrahalls Medium. Overall, pretty good, although the landlord wasn’t very engaging, but I’d happily pop in again.

The Whippet has changed hands recently. The single storey build is the same from the outside, plain with plenty of etched glass, but the interior has has a bit of a makeover. The corner shaped room is in grey, but now has some plain wood blocks attached to the wall for some reason (possibly to help dampen the noise, as this place gets very loud with just a few people in). There is a clock on the wall, no TV or music. The wood bench seating has now been painted grey to match the walls. The cellar is still visible as before. Always friendly service and so are the locals (I count as one, being from Lichfield originally). 4 ever-changing ales and a cider, I had the Turning Point Lucid Dream, which was fine. I always visit when in Lichfield, but often can only stay for short periods due to the noise levels.

This is more like a traditional micropub. A fairly plain single room with limited seating. Again friendly service and excellent beer quality. I would call in any time I am in the area.

One of a pair of adjacent Good Beer Guide micro-pubs, with this one being a single-storey structure at the end of the main terrace of shops and other business premises on the north side of the street. Wedge-shaped layout, but unusually wider by the front corner entrance and tapering towards the back. Limited seating around a total of eight small tables and a compact counter with a bank of six handpumps. Five of these were in use, offering beers from Tiny Rebel, Black Iris and two from Hippy Killer - States of Micronesia and Natty Dread milk stout (£3.00) - plus a cider. Overall, despite the beer quality, I didn't find the atmosphere quite as welcoming as the Beerbohm next door.