The Pretty Bricks (New Inn), Walsall

Nationally-known pub run by Black Country Ales. Glazed tile exterior gives the pub its nickname, though those who have been in the pub-ticking game for a few years can likely reel off half-a-dozen other pubs with a better claim to that title. Two rooms either side of fine wood and glass central servery, accessed off a corridor. BCA corporate decor throughout though many of the older fittings remain, enough to merit a ** CAMRA Inventory listing. GBG listed also and in the usual BCA style there were many pumps, in this case sporting eight cask with two ciders. Not enamoured with the quality, the BCA Pig didn't fully clear and was a well-green (NBSS 1.5), the BCA BFG was better (3) and the Beowulf Handover was a flat, hefty stodge (2). We visited twice over the long weekend and neither time did the pub feel busy, indeed it was near-deserted at 8pm on Saturday night. Simple equation - few customers means the beer doesn't shift which means poor beer which means even fewer customers. BCA need to get a grip on this one, it certainly wouldn’t Guide in my CAMRA branch if these visits were indicative. I thought this would easily be my pub of the weekend.

Honestly thought I had misplotted the location into my GPS. I walked from the arboretum through never ending light industrial units, to find this around the corner opposite a factory. You have to want to come here and with the rain, I dont think Walsallians wanted to. I was the only punter in a 30 minute stay on a Saturday lunch. A classic Black Country Ales Pub - Traditional to the point of conformity to their other tied house. 7 handpulls on but even with the lack of turnover, the Fixed Wheel No Brakes was my pint of the day.