The Park Inn, Woodsetton, Dudley

Stumbed upon this pub whilst completing a walk that I thought was in Dudley. This fine looking pub is a Tap House for the holdens brewery and it has the 2018 Good Beer Guide Sticker in the Window - turns out I am in Woodsetton and I hadn't noticed its separation in the bible. Large, clean and airy pub. Central bar. Restaurant in conservatory but had signs saying they didnt do food (maybe temporary). Golden Glow in fantastic condition - as you would expect. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2MCivfg

The Holden's brewery tap is something of an anti-climax compared to some of their better known hostelries or some of the Batham pubs. It doesn't appear to be all that old, it is modernised and is just one room albeit split into different areas one of which contains a pool table. It was fairly quiet on my Saturday afternoon visit The curved island bar had the four main Holden's beers and a seasonal one called Bomber Brown. I went for the Holden's bitter (£2.50) which was in excellent nick and I managed to forget about the 10p CAMRA discount. It's a decent enough pub but the Holden's beers are the main attraction here.

This is the Holden’s Brewery tap and so the cottage style creamy rendered pub sits adjacent to the brewery itself, with a conservatory and a nice beer garden. The interior has three areas. The main room is in a U shape around the bar and is in a plain creamy colour with wood panel and incorporates a slightly raised area, with a more dining feel and a nice fireplace with large mirror over it. The colour scheme and the plain look, with the lack of ephemera and pictures, give a light, but not really traditional feel – a little of a disappointment – it feels almost too clean if you understand what I mean. There are a couple of Sky TVs on the wall and the bingo was on at my last visit. There is a side area, with a pool table and bar football in and a conservatory area. The service is always fine and the clientele mixed. Beer; well, what can you say – tap stuff, with the Holden’s range; Bitter, Golden Glow, Special and a class MILD. Their seasonal beer was also on – Wind Blower at the last visit, as well as three guests; Spekky Hen, Abbot and nice to see was the Titanic Iceberg. The beer is class and the pub is nice – but don’t expect a traditional pub which is usually associated with Holdens, the pub is modern and a little bland. Saying that – there is NO WAY I will not go back in here and I could stay all day – I am just whinging as a traditionalist and feel if I don’t say something people won’t believe how good the beer! Holden’s and Batham’s MILDs are my favourite beers – so God be praised and as you say, Nunc est bibendum!