The Barrel, Birmingham

Substantial and newly-reopened ex-Ansell's house with an imposing curved facade. Open split-level interior with a mix of furniture and decor (but all quite plain). Limited menu of Indian dishes. No real ale, of course, so had a quick Worthington Smoothflow (£1.40, half) as an unexpected stop on my way back to where I was staying for the night. NB - It was only as I was leaving that I noted that there was also a selection of bottled ales (mostly from the Marston's stable).

The Barrel still has all of its signs outside,but it was well and truely closed when i tried to do it,i looked through the windows and the pub had enough paint tins inside the paint the forth bridge. I will leave it up to the locals to decide if this pub is staying closed or about to reopen. Attempted visit 17/8/2013