The Case is Altered, Warwick

We could tell on approach that this would be a bit of a classic and better than the * CAMRA Heritage rating might suggest. The building is enclosed in on itself and you need to go through a little courtyard to enter; if you didn’t know there was a pub here it would be very easy to drive on past. To quote from below “a basic small room with tables round the outside, a fireplace one side and the bar the other, and another room for overspill. Overspill is more than ten or a dozen people.” The whole interior is quarry tile floored, whitewashed and simply furnished with brasses and that sort of thing. There’s a bar billiards table in the hallway. A lovely local atmosphere, reminiscent of the Bells of Aldworth and Waltham St Lawrence as there’s no music and no bleeps. Four ales on, 2x North Cotswold, Goffs and Titanic Mild, the latter of which sadly tasted slightly stale which was a shame (NBSS 2.5) – the locals were on the North Cotswold and I should have followed their lead. Note that it’s cash-only, so muggins here had to get the round in. A really lovely place; if the cask had been better I’d have been raving. We’ve put this one down for a re-visit next time we’re motoring up for our annual Black Country jaunt as we all enjoyed ourselves. 8.5

Official site of The Case is Altered - www.caseisaltered.com

Official site of The Case is Altered - www.caseisaltered.com

My final pub of the day in Warwickshire and easily the best of the 10. The Case is Altered is tucked away down a country lane, not far from a busy roundabout on an A road. Service was from an outdoor bar, with the 5 beers listed on a blackboard. Regular ales are Old Pie Factory Pie in the Sky & Wye Valley Butty Bach. Guests on Tuesday were Old Pie Factory The Case Bitter & Humble Pie & North Cotswold Moreton Mild. I remember reading the below review, but I clearly didn't take it in. After having carried the same cash around with me for around 12 months and having just the vast majority of it purchasing a Chinese takeaway in Kenilworth, I was left with just £1.60 in cash to purchase the two halves I'd hoped for. The nearest cash machine was several miles away. Thank goodness for the two really nice ladies at the bar who let me off the 20p extra I needed for a half! I would estimate that around 95% of pubs would have refused to serve me, which puts this pub in the top 5% straight away. It was a shame that I was unable to view the interior, which is apparently quite traditional. Nevertheless, it was pleasant enough to sit outside in a small marquee, with conversation still very much the order of the day. There's no real cider here, but 5 ales, wonderful staff and a classic rural pub make this a must visit.