The Robin Hood, Amblecote, Stourbridge

This is a fantastic Georgian style building which was converted to a beer house around the time of the Duke of Wellingtons 1830 Beer Act by its owner who was a wealthy glassmaker by trade and it survives as a genuine free house to this day. The interior has two rooms, a public bar across the front of the building and a restaurant area across the back, the two rooms are linked by a very short corridor type opening through the middle of the dividing wall. In the traditional public bar there is a dark wood counter with stained glass above in the back left corner, nice cast iron Victorian fire place with floral tiled surround in the middle of the right wall, fixed burgundy fabric bench seating, small flat screen TV in the front left corner, various brewery memorabilia on the walls and a high shelf around the room which displays an extensive collection of beer bottles. The back dining area is a little more contemporary, although the right hand side of the room does have imitation half timber walls. There are a dozen pine wood tables with modern black leather dining chairs, on the back right wall is a copy of the original deeds to the pub. In the middle of the back wall is another short corridor which leads to the toilets and a small outside patio area with a couple of picnic tables. There are also a couple of picnic tables at the front of the pub either side of the entrance. It should be noted by anyone with mobility concerns that there are half a dozen steps up from the street to the entrance. Regular ales are currently Bathams Best Bitter, Holden’s Golden Glow, Enville Ginger and Salopian Oracle with three changing guest beers which on this occasion were Dark Star Sussex Stout, Kelham Island Tin Can Avenger and Cotleigh Barn Owl (GBG 2013). A superb selection with some of the most popular local breweries represented. As I guessed (correctly) that there was a good chance of having a Bathams or a Glow somewhere else that day I tried the Oracle and the Avenger which were in excellent condition. A great traditional free house with good character, brilliant proper beer and one of the best selections I have seen for a while, I had a real dilemma choosing which beers to have as my time here was limited. An interesting fact is that this pub received delivery of the first ever cask of Enville Ale in 1993. The pub has a good mix of traditional and modern decor to suit most tastes, personally I found the front public bar to be very comfortable. Proof that you can successfully have a pub and a restaurant in the same building if done sensitively. I can’t wait to visit again as soon as possible.

This is exactly the type of pub I would like as my local, a traditional pub, a couple of rooms that offer comfort and quality. Seems to be a lot of TLC here, its not posh or anything, but it doesn't need to be, its just a well run local. Excellent food, excellent real ale.

Good food but I will not drink smooth flow beers. No bottled available!Why don't they use the hand pulls fitted to the bar and sell some real beer?

Cracking real ale pub, 4 regular + 4 guest ales in a friendly bar. Also does food and accomodation