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Detail Pages
The Head of Steam, Birmingham
Birmingham
B2 5DP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Head of Steam
This one wasn’t here the last time I was in town so whilst the good lady was stuck in Debenhams and John Lewis I thought I’d look the place up and I was impressed as well.
As others have mentioned you have to go through this strange half in half out lobby seating area before climbing up steps and through doors into the main bar area. And for my Sunday afternoon this space had no customers but was patrolled by a couple of doorman, which I found a bit strange but was completely forgetting that the fun loving supporters of Aston Villa and Birmingham had recently finished exchanging pleasantries at the not that far away St Andrews.
Once inside the pub it’s a large space with plenty of seating areas on two levels around the central serving Island and the usual shiny Industrial décor you would expect from a newly opened Steam outlet.
There is an impressive range of some 20 Craft options on the taps down the sides of the serving area but full marks for putting the 10 ale pumps on the front section so that they are the first thing you see when you approach.
One was dispensing Hogans Wild Elder Cider and for my visit the nine ales available were Backyard Brewhouse Coaltown Stout and Gold Rush, Arbour Shangri-la, Camerons Sanctuary and Ahopalypse Now, Kirkstall Brewery Ryeteous, Northern Monk Eternal IPA, Fixed Wheel Wheelie Hazy IPA and Twisted Barrel Citra and the Coaltown Stout went down very well.
I bagged a table in the upper section with its view of Temple Street outside, but also with a large flat screen tele which was showing the Ireland v France six nations match and armed with my pint of Stout and decent sized bag of Pork Scratchings, all was well with the world on this strange weather Sunday afternoon.
On 12th March 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2279 recommendations about 2135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Head of Steam
Visited earlier in the week at lunchtime. 10 cask pumps with 9 of these on at the time of my visit. I went for the Ginger Joe (stout, 5.6%) by Ridgeside Brewing which set me back £2.30 for a half. This was a very decent beer and the ginger kick was noticeable without being overpowering - it worked well.
At ground level you enter into a strange nomansland that's half outdoors but enclosed (and full of tables for seating) before making your way up the steps and through the doors into the main bar. In front of you is the island bar with a mix of seating around it, tables and chairs behind and booths to the back wall.
I generally like the Head of Steam pubs and this one is no exception.
On 28th February 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 843 recommendations about 668 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Head of Steam
Very impressed with this pub. Nicely done inside and a great selection of beers. This is one I will use again when I am in town.
On 12th August 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1847 recommendations about 1718 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Head of Steam
Significant new addition to the Central Birmingham pub scene, featuring a sizeable split-level layout with a seating / dining area as you enter, an island bar up a half-flight of stairs and a further seating / dining area up the second half-flight overlooking the interior and street. Well lit, with a mix of traditional, modern and industrial elements. Ten handpumps on the counter, inevitably including Cameron's Strongarm, but showcasing four real ales from Twisted Barrel - such as the Inspired oatmeal pale (£4.00) - two from Fixed Wheel plus others from Wild Beer and Tiny Rebel along with a cider. Plenty of choice from craft keg taps too, and a plethora of bottled and canned beers too.
On 1st July 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8813 recommendations about 8813 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Head of Steam
We called in here early Saturday evening and the place was extremely busy as expected, as this new venue has only been open one week. The layout consisted of a good sized front lobby area, which had ample seating and a large mural down the left hand wall of a steam engines wheels. Then up a number of steps into the main bar area, which had an island bar, with an impressive line up of ten handpumps. Lots of seating around the perimeter walls and further seating could be found on an upper floor over the front lobby area. The main theme was industrial, with lots of black painted steel work and rustic timbers ran throughout the place. Prices were steep in here, but I enjoyed the visit and it was nice to see a lot of smartly dressed people out for the night. There was 10 handpumps here, including one cider. I'm a big fan of Fixed Wheel Brewery and they had three of their beers on, so we went for the Century Gold.
On 29th June 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3716 recommendations about 3716 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about Head Of Steam
New craft beer pub from Cameron's brewery due to open spring 2018.
On 12th December 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1847 recommendations about 1718 pubs]