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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 15th March 2026) with trainman
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Good Intent, Birmingham
Birmingham
B2 5HU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Good Intent
Found in the Great Western Arcade, the Good Intent looks inviting from the outside with curved left and right-hand front windows either side of a central entrance that opens into a bare boarded bar with a central column that has a beer shelf wrapped around for vertical drinking. Across the left-hand front window is a stool lined beer shelf and on the left wall is a staircase to the first floor. In the exposed brick rear is seating under a small skylight and the serving counter is found to the right where four of the six hand pumps were in use drawing three Craddock’s Brewery ales alongside Ossett’s Swally Rat. I went for half the Yankee that didn’t really taste of anything and was a bit short. This isn’t the biggest of places, so I decided to take a look upstairs where I found a thin curved strip of seating along a balcony that overlooks the arcade below, although the door was locked so access wasn’t possible. Looking at the height of the outside railings, I assumed this was a health and safety decision. At the end of this strip of seating are a reed organ and a chaise lounge that fit well with the surroundings. A less interesting space is a large open plan overflow seating area that is located above the shops to the left of the pub. Overall, I thought this place was interesting, but I didn’t settle so now that I’ve been I’ll probably not return.
On 14th March 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6560 recommendations about 6522 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Good Intent
In the very pretty Great Western Arcade with a very pretty façade to match. Modern inside (boo) but a fairly tidy conversion with a nice sunlight iron ceiling and exposed brick. Posh sarnies in the fridge for 4-5 sheets. Six pumps with four Craddocks and two guests. Not being a fan of Craddocks I thought I'd play safe with a Hobsons Twisted Spire but unfortunately I got a dishwasher half (NBSS 2) so the local CAMRAs are correct in not Guiding the place. So an interesting curio but the beer quality is lacking; in fact in the 15 mins I spent here I didn't see any others poured. Let’s say the place lives up to its name. 6.5
On 24th April 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5992 recommendations about 5971 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Good Intent
Shop conversion in the ornate Great Western Arcade. Bare boarded interior with exposed brick work. 6 real ales.
On 26th January 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3035 recommendations about 2965 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Good Intent
I think I spotted eight hand pulls on my recent re-visit, with three or four of those offering Craddock ales. My only gripe would be that no clue is given as to the style of these beers with the pump clips just listing the name and ABV of the beer. However this was mitigated by a helpful and knowledgeable barman who was happy to offer a taster when I was asking about styles and trying to make my mind up.
The Good Intent is always a pleasure when visiting Birmingham and I've always found the Craddock ales to be decent. Maybe one day I will catch them with a porter or stout available, but I was certainly not disappointed with the two beers I selected.
As has been noted, there is a single WC with separate disabled WC on the ground floor. There is an upstairs area, which I have still not investigated - I'd imagine this makes a good overflow area when the place is busy, but the downstairs seating makes for a shorter walk to head back to the bar so that's good enough for me.
Definitely worth checking out and I intend to return again.
On 6th December 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 897 recommendations about 698 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Good Intent
An interesting proposition here from Craddock's, "the UK's first not for profit bar", probably needing the word "deliberately" added because it's set up as a social enterprise rather than being a teetering-on-the-edge 'basket case' operation that so many pubs are these days. Anyway, the brewery has done a fine job converting one of the central units in the Great Western Arcade, with a ground-floor bar, a seating area further back, much more space upstairs and some small tables 'outside'. On this visit, I found four of the brewery's own beers - including - Crazy Sheep (£4.70) - and guests from Green Duck and Purity from the two banks of three handpumps.
On 5th February 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 9063 recommendations about 9063 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Good Intent
First off - the Great Western Arcade is gorgeous and full of independent shops. Having such a handsome, 2023 Good Beer Guide pub is the icing on the cake. A destination to impress people new to Birmingham.
The pub operates on a non-profit basis, with all proceeds going to charity.
Insides, its all mahogany wood and large glass windows. There is an upstairs, which most of the punters seemed to be heading for. I will investigate next time.
A nice patio out front, which is great to people watch and attempt to lure in shoppers with your pinty delight.
The usual Craddocks Range (wish they would put descriptions on the pump clips) but I went for a Brummie Gold (Birmingham Brewing Company) which was in fine condition.
Well worth seeking out.
On 19th December 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1772 recommendations about 1745 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Good Intent
Paid another visit this week. Not much further to add to the previous reviews, but there were 6 hand pulls at the bar, offering a combination of Craddocks beers and guests. I went for the Yule Glow, a 6% Winter Ale by Craddocks, £2.45 for a half and easily my favourite beer of the day. Service was pleasant.
There is a single unisex toilet, but this was nice and clean.
Glad to see this place is still going strong.
On 16th December 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 897 recommendations about 698 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Good Intent
A decent stop off given it's location, a decent range of beers as mentioned recently below, not overloaded with ambiaunce and like Steve below wouldn't make a dedicated return as such, my beer choice of Fixed Wheel Simcoe was pretty good so would call in again if passing.
On 28th November 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2291 recommendations about 2255 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Good Intent
Good venture this from the Craddock's brewery especially being a non profit operation will all profits going to local charities. Very friendly welcome and service levels from the bar person and beers the same as the 16th October review as I was on the same crawl as Mr Fastard. I went for Craddock’s Crazy Sheep and very good it was too.
Not a pub I would go out of my way to search out, but if I was dragged into the Great Western Arcade by my good lady, I would allow her all the time she wanted in the shops whilst I encamped myself here.
On 21st November 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2322 recommendations about 2169 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Good Intent
The Good Intent is located in an upmarket covered shopping arcade close to Snow Hill station.
As a Craddock's pub, it has a good range of their beers, both on cask and on keg. Troll, Saxon Gold, Crazy Sheep & Capra represented the same selection as for the 16th October review. Although guests had changed to Birmingham Brewing Company Gold Brummie & Purity Ubu.
The friendly barman guided us through our choices and we managed to find a table on the ground floor, without having to venture upstairs. The Toilet is also on the ground floor and is unisex.
The donating of all profits to charity is certainly an interesting concept and with a range of 6 real ales, this is certainly a pub that I will consider a return visit when next in Birmingham.
On 2nd November 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3409 recommendations about 3407 pubs]