The Pub At Bearwood, Smethwick

Square bar under a high ceiling in the former Barclays Bank building. Still quite new but you wouldn't necessarily think so, with a mix of furniture (including an annoying high L-shaped banquette bench) and surprisingly plain decoration. Neither handpump was in use, although one had a reversed Abbot clip so went for Greene King's craft-ish Level Head (£3.30), with its Flint Eye also available from another tap on one of the pair of hooped founts.

This is the second of these pubs(the first being The Pub At Kings Heath). Converted from a Barclays Bank it is a fairly square room with a variety of seating. 2 ales on plus a couple of craft beers. The festive Rocking Rudolph had gone - I was hesitant to try it 2 weeks after Christmas and I should have listened to myself! The other ale was Abotts but I went for a craft Level Head which was fine. A decent addition to Bearwood. Add this to the Bear, Craft Inn and Midland and it is worth hopping off the bus for a couple!