Old Hop Pole, West Bromwich

Doesn't look much from the outside but its a real gem. And not just because of all the WBA memorabilia. Inside its a main bar with a couple of side rooms. Main room has a wonderful coal burning hearth. Wye Valley HPA was in absolute perfect condition. Just wish they'd turn the Chase off on the huge TVs. Recommended. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2G12qsM

This is a nice, traditional style local's pub on the High Street, close to the Dudley Road/Guns Village tram stop and extremely popular with West Bromwich Albion fans on match days. The first thing you notice as you enter are the excellent obscured glass front and porch windows which have the pub's name picked out on them. The porch leads you into the front bar, with an island servery extending out into the room from the left hand side. The bar describes a U-shape, allowing customers access from the front and both smaller rear sections and has a beautiful stained glass canopy with 'Deakin', 'Entire', 'Malt', 'Hops' and 'Yeast' written on the panes. Banquette seating runs around the perimeter of the front bar, supplemented by a few low stools. There is plenty of West Brom memorabilia on the walls and a TV near the entrance was showing muted coverage of the day's early kick-off. A bookcase stands to the front left with a locked cabinet next to it, which presumably contains a dartboard judging by the number of trophies collected on top of it. The rear half of the pub comprises two small seating areas either side of a walkway running to the rear of the building. Both areas have been partly partitioned and appeared to be very cosy, especially when packed with people as they were on this visit. There is a decent amount of fixed bench and low stool seating in both spaces and a rather grand looking fireplace could be spotted in the right hand section. Following the walkway to the rear leads you to the toilets and a tatty, partly covered concrete garden/smoking area. There were four handpulls on the bar, one of which was unclipped, leaving a choice of Sharps Doom Bar, Hobson's Town Crier and Wye Valley HPA. I had a pint of the latter, served by one of the well drilled, patient and friendly bar team, which I thought was in good shape, as befitting the pub's Good Beer Guide listing for 2016. I also had a tasty cob, which set me back £1 and did the job in filing a gap. This is a great little pub with an unusual layout, friendly service and a decent ale selection. In many ways I would have preferred to see the place slightly less crowded, but I have to say there was a good atmosphere with so many people crammed inside. A good little pub that makes for a decent double header with the nearby Wheatsheaf.

A typical Victorian looking corner pub, with rear patio area. The pub is generally in cream render with stone mouldings above the windows and a dog-tooth cornice. The main frontage is in chocolate and blue, with half-pilasters, a corner entrance and new etched windows. The interior had been opened-up, but there is clear evidence of the old rooms. The main bar is at the front. It is in cream and wood panel, with red perimeter and stool seating. There is a dart board and some trophies. There is a TV (not on) and a fine wood bar, with coloured glass. The rear has two former rooms, with TVs showing sport. Also, these are in red and cream, with Baggies memorabilia on the walls - as well as a Vettriano print. An old kitchen range is an interesting feature. The service is always friendly and the place bustling with locals. Beer; usual tap stuff with Thwaites Wainwright, Wye Valley HPA and a decent Goffs White Knight. A great place that always hits the mark - goes well with the Wheatsheaf over the road, but the best in the wider town centre as far as i am concerned.

Visited on a Saturday evening.The Wye Valley beer was fine and the surroundings pleasant.But the 70-s disco situated at the front of the door was deafening!