The Queens Head, Stourbridge

Nice BCA pub just outside Stourbridge with the usual wide range of beers on. Guests included Beowulf Wolf, Backyard Blonde, Oakham Citra and Salopian Shropshire Gold. The two we tried were fine. The only surprise to me is that we were the only customers!

Follows the BCA blue print to the letter - even having three times as many hand pulls on as punters. How do they keep the turnover. Little really to say - its traditional, there's lots of beer, the prices are keen, there are nice snacks, the landlady is friendly and knowledgeable. I chose well with my Burton Bridge Golden Delicious.

I had vaguely noticed that Black Country Ales had opened a pub in Stourbridge but hadn't realised that it was only a short distance from the Batham's Royal Exchange. It made it an obvious target when I came here for the annual Batham's XXX chase. I got here around midday and it opened just as I finished taking pictures. The friendly landlady told me that it was formerly known as the Queensbury. It's been well refurbished by the new owners and consists of an L shaped room with a wooden floor to the right and carpeted to the left. There is a dart board and TV (silent) to the right. The twelve hand pumps had a couple of ciders, the three regular BCA ales and seven from just about anywhere. I went for Clouded Minds Luppol (£3.20), Intrepid Odin (£3.60) and Bluestone Hammerstone IPA (£3.30) all of which were first class. I liked this one a lot and would definitely return. It gets a strong 9.