The Colmore, Birmingham

grand bank conversion into a gin palace pub, friendly enough staff but at first I thought it was a little formal. Eventually I did warm to it. Thankfully it did seem to be free of any rowdy groups, only limited food is served and there was a good range of comfortable seating. A bit too plush and detached to ever be considered ‘a favourite’ but I think I would return as the beer and ambience were good. Six Thornbridge beers plus the ever magnificent Titanic Plum Porter.

I do like conversions of former bank premises into pubs and the Colemore can be added to the list of particularly good ones. Well described below It was reassuringly busy and lively for our late Friday afternoon visit and I fully intended on entering to have a pint of the Thornbridge Jaipur until I noticed that there was Titanic Plum Porter on as a guest. Well I guess Thornbridge can make do without my four quid, although I did buy some crisps to compensate.

I can't add much to that below. I had a half of the Thornbridge Made North, as mentioned, perhaps a bit cold, as I suspect others will mention.

Official site of The Colmore - www.colmoretap.co.uk

Official site of The Colmore - www.colmoretap.co.uk

As described previously, an upmarket conversion of an old bank with lots of polished wood and leather. The glass-partitioned back room ought to make a pleasant escape from the bustling main area but on this visit was sadly dominated by loud music from the pool room in the basement below. As noted a good selection of beers from Thornbridge with a couple of guests, perhaps a little cold but still very tempting.

New pub that somehow, Thornbridge have managed to make feel quite authentic - like a posh hotel bar. The beers, are of course, amazing. If you are going to have Jaipur - it might as well be here. Friendly staff. Laid back, yet opulent feel to the place.

The Colmore is another fairly recent addition to the Birmingham city centre drinking scene. It is located in a former bank and as previously stated is slightly more upmarket than some other local establishments and similar to the Old Joint Stock around the corner. A bouncer was on the door. Being run by Thornbridge, it mainly features their beers from both cask and keg. Real ales were Thornbridge Jaipur, Lord Marples, Astryd, Bother Rabbit & Crackendale & Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout. Amongst the keg beers was an extremely drinkable coffee stout called Fika. This was easily my favourite beer of the day. Staff seemed friendly and were clearly knowledgeable on their beers. Another great addition to Birmingham city centre.

Visited earlier this week. 8 hand pulls at the bar with several Thornbridge beers available plus some guests. I went for a half of Strickland which was a Thornbridge collaboration with Adnams, a nice stout but a bit on the expensive side at £2.50 for a half. It's a fancy upmarket looking place, nice décor, modern, but as I say a bit on the expensive side. There is banquette seating, marble topped tables, chandeliers, and different sections split by wood with glass panels. Toilets are downstairs, as is a small room with a pool table. It would have been an 8/10 for me if it hadn't been for the pricing, so I'm giving this place a solid 7/10.

A very good addition to Birmingham. A pleasant interior and an excellent variety of real ales. The 8 handpulls had mostly Thornbridge beers though 2 were guests (Brew York and Arbor on this visit). 5 or 6 taps on the back wall for crafty fizzlepops too. A good pub.

I had been looking forward to my first visit and the Colmore lived up to my expectations. An excellent bank conversion well described below. A great selection of Thornbridge beers plus a couple of guests from Titanic and Tiny Rebel. The Jaipur and Brother Rabbit were excellent. I will be calling in again. A great addition to the city centre.