Sacks of Potatoes, Birmingham

Keen to see if this student haunt of my youth still exists. Traditional looking pub, painted black externally on ground floor with a cream upper story. Some outside picnic benches. Inside, typical pub high tables, each with large menu of pub grub. Central U Shaped Bar. Stained glass/leaded windows were perhaps the most memorable aspect, with the sunlight pouring through. Two cask on - HPA and Doom Bar. Half an HPA in decent enough condition. I was the only punter at first on a bank holiday lunch time. Where are the students :-)

A pleasant pub in the University. Unlike the nearby Costa Green this doesn't have the feel of a student bar. U-shaped inside its has 9 handpulls (I think) of which 3 were used for real cider. A traditional looking pub. I liked it.

Right by Aston University, but a proper pub rather than just a student bar. Partly opened-out, with various different seating areas on slightly different levels in an overall 'L' shape. Anonymous furniture and decor, but it also has some tables out front and a small rear terrace. Various food offers and weekly programme of events. Six real ales - including two each from Wye Valley and Holden's (Dark Mild and Golden Glow, £3.10 less 10% Camra discount) plus Shropshire Gold and Oakham Citra - and three Lilley's ciders on handpump.

One of two pubs situated on the Aston University campus, this is by far the more traditional of the two, with none of the trappings of student pubs except, perhaps, for a reasonably priced menu. The pub has a clearly defined multiple room layout which has now sadly been opened out into one long, lopsided U-shaped room with a large seating area to the left. In the centre of the pub is the L-shaped servery with its dark wood counter, pub mirror bar back and attractive stained glass canopy. The front section opposite the bar is bare boarded with some high tables and stools under the beautiful stained glass windows which looked particularly good in the bright Spring sunshine. Lots of nice framed photos of the local area have been displayed to good effect in this space. To the left there is a carpeted open area next to the bar with a few tables and standard chairs and a nice nook to the rear with a single table under a shelving unit housing a wine bottle display. Further to the left you'll find a raised seating area which is obscured from the bar by a nice mirrored partitioning screen. Plusher seating options can be found up here, with well upholstered stools and smart banquettes under modern wallpaper and some fancy art works. An arch leads through to a nice front lounge with a large inglenook fireplace and views out across the campus. To the right of the bar is a cosy looking lounge with more comfy seating and some interesting pictures on the walls, set on a lower level to the main bar area and I think this might arguably be the best spot to grab a seat for a quiet pint. A map of the UK was hung near the bar and showed where many of the breweries featured in the pub are located, although the geographical accuracy of this is certainly up for debate. A TV screen was showing muted news coverage and a dreary soundtrack played throughout my visit, which detracted from the overall feel, as did the countless blackboards detailing food, drinks and events, which gave the place a bit of a corporate feel. The map next to the bar hinted that some good brewers are represented here and the line up on this visit backed that up with Salopian Shropshire Gold, Taylors Landlord, Black Sheep Bitter, Woods Pot O' Gold and Kelham Island Pale Rider all available and Oakham JHB due to come on. I had a very enjoyable pint of the Shropshire Gold and was very pleased when the barmaid prompted me for a CAMRA card which entitled me to a 10% discount. This is a pretty decent pub in a highly unpromising location . There are lots of nice features here and the place maintains a broad appeal without to much compromise, making it a very good option should you find yourself in this, otherwise underserved, part of the city.

Unusually sited amongst the modern building of Aston University is this traditional Victorian gem overlooking a green. Some traditional touches remain such the exquisite leaded, stained glass windows at the front, Victorian style wallpaper, original arches and fireplace and plenty of dark wood. It makes for a comfortable place for a pint and food is also popular with the only drawback for me being the various muted screens showing rolling news and providing an unwelcome distraction. The welcome was friendly and chatty in typical Brum style and a 10% CAMRA discount offered without question. There was an interesting mix of customers on our Saturday lunchtime visit with student and locals all enjoying a pint. Mind the soap dispenser in the Gents though as a squirt in the eye from it led to exclamations of 'Merde' and 'Putain' from one user who may not have been local. Six handpumps had on only three beers alongside three coming next signs. Those present were Salopian Oracle, Backyard Blonde and Silhill Blonde Star. All good with the Oracle standing out but all around 4% and pale so the choice was limited. I liked it here a lot, would happily return and would be more generous on the score if all six handpumps were offering a wider range.

Official site of Sacks Of Potatoes - www.sacksofpotatoes.co.uk