The Swan, Halesowen

Black Country Ales pub that follows the chain's successful formula of creating cosy pubs with a good real ale and cider selection. This one had a few punters in on our Thursday afternoon visit. The room is carpeted and curves around a central and prominent bar. The real ale range is excellent for the area. Regular beers from Black Country Ales are Bradley's Finest Golden, Fireside & Pig On the Wall. Citra Sublime was another beer from the brewery. Guests were Sharp's Atlantic, Beartown Lit, Hartlebury Rambo Mango, Wantsum SS Montgomery, Mallinson's Calypso & Salopian Port In A Storm. Ciders were Thistly Cross Whisky Cask, Lilley's Pineapple Cider & Bee Sting Perry & Weston's Rosie's Pig Raspberry Cider. After some deliberation, I opted for the Rambo Mango accompanied by a Cheese & Onion Cob with which you can get black pudding added at no extra charge. With a wait for the black pudding to be heated, I settled down to enjoy my beer, but unfortunately it wasn't in the best condition. Unfortunately, I've often found this with Black Country Ales pubs. The real ale choice is excellent, but this comes to the detriment of beer quality. They are simply trying to keep too many beers. In addition, with the chef on a break, the black pudding never did arrive during our visit. So, the cheese and onion cob was consumed on it's tod! Why offer it, if it's not available?!

Good selection of ales on today. We had to take the Milestone Azacca Gold back as it was at the end of the barrel, but exchanged no problem. The Yorkshire Heart Platinum EPA and Battledown Original were fine.

Black Country Ales pub doing a roaring trade on a Wednesday evening, with a charity quiz night in full swing (and the compere bellowing out the questions and answers without the benefit of any amplification). Partly opened-out at some stage to leave a staple-shaped main bar and a further bar / seating / dining area off to one side at the back. Traditional furniture and decor, with some tiled panels on the lower parts of most walls. Features a very impressive selection of up to 11 real ales and six ciders in a wide variety of styles from various banks of handpumps scattered about the counter. Went from the Salopian Sixth Mass (£3.20), but would have happily gone for almost anything on offer.

Official site of The Swan Inn - www.blackcountryales.co.uk

Official site of The Swan Inn - www.blackcountryales.co.uk

Now a Black Country Ales pub. 8 real ales on offer and all those I tried were excellent. Please note: Kids & dogs are not welcome by the look of it - there was a notice on the entrance stating that this was the consensus of the regulars.