1000 Trades, Hockley, Birmingham

It's all about Indie at 100 Trades in the Jewellery Quarter. That means 4 cask and 7 keg lines across a range of styles, while the kitchen is given over to local caterers serving up their own specialities. The soundtrack is 6Music and there's an event of some sort on most evenings. My visits, though, have been during the afternoon when the pub's quiet and I've been able to enjoy some quality ales served by a friendly barkeep. A recommended stop in this part of the city (the centre is easily walkable from here).

A long narrow room that stretches back some way with the bar on your right as you enter, Four handpumps and a selection of craft beers on keg. There was only one cask beer on offer, Printworks Helvetica, another pump was dispensing Lillys Mango Cider. I thought it decent in here.

Despite the narrow frontage, this pub is larger than one might expect, extending back some way up a single step once you pass the bar. The small front seating area is quite traditional (with a real fire), whereas the bigger dining area further back has a more modern look, and there are also a few wooden tables out on the pavement. Four handpumps on the counter, dispensing Settle Mainline bitter, Green Duck Session IPA (£4.32 with 10% Camra discount) and a Lilley's cider, with the chalk board suggesting that the other was also in use earlier in the day.

A small pub, though it does stretch back and there is apparently an upstairs part. Not much change in the beers listed in previous review. Service back to normal. 3 tables out front should you so wish.

We nearly got turned away from this bar which is on the city centre side of the Jewellery Quarter. All tables were reserved, but luckily one couple had left early and there was no booking for another 45 minutes or so. Ordering was a little confusing. You could view the beer list by scanning a QR code, but you couldn't actually order a beer using the website. So, service took a little longer than we'd hoped. Real ales were 1000 Trades Cool Runnings, Mallinson's Mandarina Bavaria & XT Animal Lemming. Craft beers on keg were Fixed Wheel Blackheath Stout & Mule Kick, Brew by Numbers Strata & Talus & Salopian Auric & Purr IPA. The cider (also keg) was Sandford Orchards Devon Mist. Certainly a popular place, which is spread over 2 floors, but not quite as good as other places in the area.

A bar/restaurant for the Rock and Roll Brewery. Thin, long pub with area separate area for drinkers and diners. Twin DJ Decks hint at the entertainment that might be on during a weekend. Beers are detailed on a chalk board and the Rock and Roll Bitter was perfect. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2OWZD7W

I liked this place. We were made welcome by friendly staff, and the beer choice was good as Signature Brew had a sort of tap takeover with their beers on both cask and keg. We tried 2 of their cask beers, Nightliner which was a good porter, and the Roadie. The front had been opened up onto the street so 2 tables were facing outside. Weather perfect for it on Saturday. There was a lot of artwork for sale on the walls in the rear area of the bar. There is also a range of bottles and cans in a fridge behind the bar. and an interesting tapas menu.