The Anchor, Birmingham

Another CAMRA national inventory pub a few doors down from the tiled White Swan, this one is a nice piece of Art Nouveau with stained and etched glass, lots of good carved wood and all the features of a classic multi roomed pub. The pool table does kind of dominate its surroundings. An excellent range of well kept beers all, I think, from micros far and wide, I had a Cornish beer (not Sharps either!)

A corner Victorian terracotta pub, with small smoking patio at the back The pub is traditional, with etched windowns and tiles - it has a nesting of rooms, the main bar, small ante-room partitioned off from the bar, lounge and i think another room off the corridor leading to the loos. The decor is mainly red, mint green and white, with a pool table. There is various art and historical stuff on the walls. The lounge has large screen TV (retractable). Clientele is mixed and it is often busy as it it a real ale haven. Service on the last visit was good. Over the last year or so, i felt this place was declining, living on its own myth really, but i am pleased to say the last visit saw it return to the form i would have expected. Beer; tap stuff with Continental lagers, with 20+ real ales on, chalked up on a board by the entrance. Sadly, the Hobson's MILD wasn't on at the last visit, but had Titanic Snuff it, a fruity beer not to my taste and Northumberland Fog on the Tyne, which was very good. I am pleased that the Anchor seemed to be back to the form i knew, however, i have always preferred the White Swan, as it is more homely, equally impressive as a building and the real ale more consistent, though far less choice. Please do not get me wrong - You HAVE to visit this place!

Gerry always seems to find an excuse for a beer festival. Regularly rotating stock, a blackboard in the corner shows what's available (asterisked) and what's to come. Lots of choice for lager drinkers too. Could probably do with a wipe down, but a bit of dust never hurt anyone. The ale is the main thing, and that's always first class here. An ale drinker's institution.

Regularly wins 'Best Real Ale Pub' in Birmingham. Normally stocks several brews, including some from Belgium & Germany, which are usually well kept. A simple, basic boozer. Certainly not a ladies pub. Within walking distance of the Bull Ring. Only on street parking available. Down marked because it has a noisy juke-box & a pool table. I go about 3 times a year to meet mates that live in Birmingham. Now has stiff competition for best pub from a real ale pub in the city centre.

Regularly wins 'Best Real Ale Pub' in Birmingham. Normally stocks several brews, including some from Belgium & Germany, which are usually well kept. A simple, basic boozer. Certainly not a ladies pub. Within walking distance of the Bull Ring. Only on street parking available. Down marked because it has a noisy juke-box & a pool table. I go about 3 times a year to meet mates that live in Birmingham. Now has stiff competition for best pub from a real ale pub in the city centre.

This pub no longer exists but a pub called the station still stands in the msame location but is boarded up.

Recently refurbed but kept its traditional boozer appeal. Went in yesterday and thought that it was a very welcoming place and much cleaner than on our last visit last year. Choice of 4 cask ales and a fab juke box to sing along to once you've warmed up.