Hop & Scotch, Birmingham

After what seemed like an ultra-long bus journey from Cotteridge on a bus packed with local schoolchildren, I arrived into Kings Heath, desperate for a pee! Luckily Hop & Scotch opened spot on its 4pm weekday opening time and I ended up in the toilet before paying for my beer! This is a friendly micropub set in a parade of shops. The staff are extremely knowledgeable about the local beer scene. When another customer walked in and enquired about their range of bottled and canned IPAs to take away, they were quick to discuss the various options. 4 real ales were available - Brew York Calmer Chameleon, Green Duck Bostin' Bitter, Thornbridge Jaipur & Kinver Black Ram. The cider was Hogan's Wild Elder and their Lonely Partridge Perry was also on. Craft beers were Twisted Barrel/Dead Weight Cute Story, Salopian Auric, Yonder Pink Lemonade, Boon 2-year-old Lambic, Infinity Momentum & Big Smoke Cold Smark. All of this was in addition to the extensive beer selection in the fridges. I hadn't been drinking in Kings Heath for just over 8 years, but I've been wanting to pay a visit to Hop & Scotch for a few years. Research revealed that the area appears to be quite up and coming, especially for craft beers. So, this ended up being my first of 6 pubs in the area. In addition, it appears that the Hop & Scotch owners have opened up a new bar two or three doors along the street called Houblon, featuring Belgian, German and other European beers, along with ciders and perries. Being closed on a Wednesday, I couldn't visit it this time around. So, there is a good chance that I will be back in the area within the next few years.

Very good little micro just off the main road. Very friendly barman. We had a good chat about local beers and breweries. 3 ales on and an array of craft taps. The beers we had were on top form and I will call again.