The Prince of Wales, Birmingham

Wednesday evening was my first visit here since 2012. Since then I believe it had been closed for a lengthy period, before being bought, done out and re-opened by Black Country Ales. Arriving quite late on a Wednesday evening, I wasn't initially certain that I'd get served. However, the barmaid was friendly and welcoming and had no issue with serving us. In fact, we were left to drink our pints without any pressure to leave, which left a good impression. Interior-wise, it's a typical BCA pub, carpeted, cosy and fairly traditional. The usual BCA beers were on (BFG, Fireside & Pig On The Wall), along with a good range of guest beers - Tollgate California Sun, Teignmouth Sunshine, Nuttycombe Dominicans, Fixed Wheel Peto, Muirhouse Malibrew, Plain Ales Independence & Salamander 52AD. Ciders were from Lilley's - Woo Woo and Apples & Pears. A couple of corned beef cobs, which were still available until last orders, helped move proceedings along a little! I always used to like this pub. If anything, it's got better than it was. It's very close to the brash nightlife area along Broad Street, but just secluded enough to ensure it doesn't attract the party going type. All customers were fairly civilised pub-goers. Hopefully it won't be so long before my next visit.

Official site of The Prince of Wales - www.blackcountryales.co.uk

Official site of The Prince of Wales - www.blackcountryales.co.uk

Facebook page of The Prince of Wales - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Prince of Wales - www.facebook.com

Another really good Black Country Ales pub. Great choice of 10 ales on when I last called in. It's well worth the short stroll from Broad Street. Cobs, Sausage Rolls and Pork Pies on sale. The beer quality was excellent and the service very friendly. What's not to like??

Came here several years ago and was impressed by a Brummie bar having both TT Landlord and Black Sheep on. Its subsequently been taken over by the BCA Group and had a complete refit in their corporate style. Nothing wrong with that but they are becoming hard to tell apart. Same seating, carpets, TV Screen list unusual breweries (wont be getting TT Landlord or Black Sheep again). Glorious weather on a Saturday lunch and their was a single other patron in. Waited at the bar for a good 10 mins before other life appeared to take my order. Gave me plenty of time to review the 12 (yes, 12) cask handpulls. Unless trade picks up at night, they cannot possibly justify such a range. I went for a Pekin by Hopshed brewery. Told you the beers were sourced form unusual breweries.

A bit opened out inside but manages to maintain a pubby feel. Twelve pumps in all with ten cask beer and two Ciders making use of them all, unfortunately at this stage of the game (pub eight) I failed to record them apart from my choice of an old favourite, Titanic Chocolate and Vanilla Stout, although this was only in fair condition. I would be happy to include this on another crawl.