The Boldmere Tap, Sutton Coldfield

Official site of The Boldmere Tap - www.joulesbrewery.co.uk

Official site of The Boldmere Tap - www.joulesbrewery.co.uk

Busy, with a lively atmosphere on the Saturday of Easter weekend. There are six hand pumps with Joules Pale, Blonde and Slumbering Monk, plus a chocolate stout badged with the pub's name. The Pale had just reached the end of the barrel, so I had a half of Blonde and Monk: the latter was a little warm and underwhelming (NBSS 2.5) and the Blonde was ok (NBSS 3, maybe 3.5). The Pale was soon back on (no water pulled through between barrels) so I had a half of that too (NBSS 3.5). I liked it here, though the beer is only just Good Beer Guide quality on my admittedly random sample.

Previously The Old Cork and Bottle and The Boldmere Oak, it’s still a Joule’s pub, and a very fine one, laid out as described by JAQPTIO below, open plan and floorboarded. The staff were friendly enough, while the locals were more mature and civilised than any other of the pubs we tried that week. Ales on were Slumbering Monk, IPA, Royal, Blonde and Green Monkey lager. A rare proper pub in this area, worth seeking out.