The New Navigation, Walsall

Very basic canal-side pub with limited seating in the L-shaped bar but space for karaoke events, etc. Plain patio beer garden at the back beyond the covered path to the outside toilets. Surprisingly, Doom Bar is available from a single handpump, but I went for the Banks's Mild (£3.00) from one of the keg taps (which curiously poured almost as if from a cask, with no excess carbonation).

A small, detached brick build on the side of the canal, at Birchills locks. The interior is open plan, with a small pool room. The decor is white artex and beam look, with bits of navy and other nautical picturesa and memorabillia dotted about. The service was functional and the place beginning to liven up for a singles night apparently. The car park had a bench, which seemed to double for a beer patio, so we went there, as the music was a little loud (after all, it was going to be a party). Beer; just tap tosh really, with Banks's MILD and a pretty awful Bass MILD on keg. Had the Bass, then saw it was 99p when i went to the bog - i could taste why. I have visited here a few times - too be honest, i dont mind dropping in, it just doesn't have any decent beer, so i would go the Rose & Crown further up.