The Physician, Birmingham

Large Brunning & Price pub/restaurant on the Hagley Road out of the city. With tables empty inside, we were directed outdoors as we were not eating, something I didn't particularly appreciate. Although even some diners were also being seated outside. Ordering was seemingly by a QR code, but we eventually manage to order with a waitress. Ales were Wye Valley Butty Bach & The Hopfather, Purity Bunny Hop & Timothy Taylor Boltmaker. The real cider was Lilley's Cherries & Berries. We didn't linger long with temperatures starting to drop. I normally enjoy a visit to one of the pubs in this establishment, but they are clearly putting diners ahead of drinkers in this place.

Good beer guide 2020 entry, hence the visit. Described below well - its a stunning building, inside and out. They are aiming at the dining crowd - but there are some nice areas to sit inside and a nice patio outside. Visited about a month after lock down was eased. Not sure their systems are quite up to speed. I was there bang on opening at 12am and the staff were not quite up to speed - the pumps were still being drawn through and I was "dealt" with by four different servers - each offering different advice on how to get a drink. This ranged from sit down and someone will come to download an app. Consistent advice (correctly!) to wash my hands with the gel. Eventually, I got a pint at 12:20pm. 20 mins after doors opening, with me front in the queue. Only two real ales on from the bank of 8 hand pulls - which was disappointing, when one was a Brunings and Price house beer. The pint I did have - animal Hop Kitty was glorious. £4.50.

Substantial Brunning & Price pub / restaurant in a unusual white-painted building that once housed a medical library. Plenty of different dining rooms around the central bar area, all decorated in an upmarket, traditional style. Numerous outdoor tables too in the side beer garden and rear patio. I found seven of the nine handpumps in operation, offering five real ales in a range of styles - including the seasonal Rising Sun red ale from Wye Valley (£4.45) - and a couple of ciders.

A massive multi roomed building with a decent ale selection. All the walls covered with framed photos and prints and a variety of seating styles. Being a corner property there is lots of outside seating at the rear, side and front with both patio and grassed areas. The Green Duck Close Action beer was fine.