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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Boat Inn, Solihull
Catherine-De-Barnes
Postal town: Solihull
B91 2TJ
Pub Type
Chef & Brewer (Spirit Pubs)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
Nick Davies left this review about The Boat Inn
Catherine-De-Barnes is a wealthy bit of suburbia just outside Solihull. The pub has been done up since JAQPTIO attended: GK have thrown an awful lot of money at this place, removing C&B branding; it's now part of their unbranded Crafted Pubs brand. You get to pay more to eat much the same food service stuff in swankier surroundings. Some may wish to remove the 's' from the descriptor. The central counter remains, most normal height furniture laid up for eating at 4pm on a Wednesday afternoon. So you're stuck with the GK standard issue high tables, and too many stools around the bar - indeed the setup encourages bar blockers even at 4pm on a Wednesday afternoon.
Thankfully, it was a nice day, plenty of wheelchair-friendly seating outside despite a huge semi-permanent structure presumably dating from Covid times. Beer was Tribute or a house ale, GKIPA I expect, but the tersely served Purity Helles lager was fine for what it is
This place no doubt suits the well-heeled locals fine, and nice if you can sit outside. Do note that despite being called The Boat, and despite them making a thing about being by the canal, it isn't by the canal, there's a row of houses in the way, so don't come expecting to sit by the water.
On 7th June 2024
- rating: 4
[User has posted 578 recommendations about 570 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Boat Inn
Large brewer's Tudor pub run by Chef & Brewer and right by the Grand Union Canal, although you wouldn't really know apart from the name. Partly opened out and completely modernised inside, leaving various seating and (mostly) dining areas in an overall 'L'-shape around the central counter. Also has a part-patio / part-grassed 'garden dining' area at the back. Three real ales on handpump: Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and the local Silhill Blonde Star (oddly priced at £3.77).
On 23rd August 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Boat Inn
A large detached brick build, with some white and timber exterior and beer garden
The interior seemed to be open plan all around the bar and mainly set out for food. The decor was white, with wood panel, some brick and with ceiling and nice wood support beams. The decoration was supplied by lots of old photos, brass, plates and other ephemera. The service was very good, the clientele mixed - including families, but it is a foody place. The food was fine, though kids meal was a bit spartan.
Beer; tap stuff, with no MILD and Courage Best, untried, Davenports Drop of the Dragon, ok, as well as a very ecent drop of Adnams Christmas Star on handpull.
My family were required to eat somewhere close to the NEC whilst my eldest saw a concert - this place i remembered from 20 years ago and we tried it by chance. I enjoyed the beer and food and was made welcome - in a non-modern, yet still foody kind of place. If the same circumstances arose, i would go back.
On 24th December 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]