The Chindit, Wolverhampton

This is a brilliant traditional 1950’s pub which was originally an off licence and is now owned by Enterprise Inns. The pub has two rooms and assuming the front of the building is the long side where the entrance is, the public bar is on the right and the sports bar is on the left, both rooms are accessed by a central entrance. The public bar has a small bar counter in the back left corner, carpeted floor, a large brick fire place with a modern gas fire in the right hand wall and a large mirror above, patterned fabric bench seats which are predominantly burgundy and brewery memorabilia on the walls. The sports room has a small bar counter set in the right hand wall which connects to the public bar counter, a central pool table, large brick fire place in the back wall with a modern gas fire, a large flat screen TV above the fire place, various sports and 60’s music memorabilia on the walls. There is a rear corridor that also links the two rooms and leads to a large enclosed paved patio on the right of the building. The reason for the unusual name of the pub is nicely explained in the review by Anthony Collis below. Regular ales are Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale and Enville Ale with two changing guest beers usually from the West Midlands or neighbouring counties which on this occasion were Salopian Shropshire Gold and Titanic Captain Smith’s (GBG 2012 and Cask Marque). I sampled the Shropshire Gold and the Captain Smith’s which were both in excellent condition, I find the quality of the beer to be consistently good here, the landlord really knows his stuff. The beer selection is predominantly golden and hoppy as according to the landlord “that’s what the regulars prefer”, which is fair enough. A cracking traditional working mans pub which is a Good Beer Guide regular for all the right reasons. I’ve visited several times in the last couple of years and I can honestly say that I have never been disappointed. There is no menu but crusty cobs are available from the bar. I have found that the regulars can swing from being a bit clique to friendly between visits but that doesn’t stop me enjoying the great beer.

The Chindit's exterior isn't hugely inviting but it's worth looking beyond that as the 'lounge' area is warm, comfortable and friendly. It's awash with boozer conversation covering decent pubs, beers, drinking towns, curry houses etc. It's a nice place to be. There's also a more spartan bar area with a pool table. Four handpumps with Enville Ginger Beer, which was good, Wye Valley HPA and an excellent Hop Back Summer Lightening on. All those we had were in top nick and there's clearly a lot of care taken to get the quality right here. Well deserves it's GBG 2011 entry and I'll certainly return.

The interior has been well described by previous reviewers,I would only add that the brass piping in the gents was gleaming,the white porcelain was immaculate and the facilities were a pleasure to use. Ale is the focus here and the four handpumps dispensed quality ,with Enville Ginger and Wye Valley HPA as regulars while Oakham's Bishops Farewell was later replaced by Hopback Summer Lightening as the seasonal guests.Rightly a GBG regular. I found the atmosphere to be friendly ,with most customers gathering close to the bar with the Dogs Bollocks mirror.An easy place to strike up a conversation and well worth seeking out ,I will certainly visit again possibly as a double header with the Combermere Arms nearby.