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Detail Pages
The Craven Arms, Birmingham
Birmingham
B1 1JG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Craven Arms
COVID. Certainly not the top quality I remembered, with staff hiding in the rear room rather than being visible behind the bar. My BCA Pig was fine, if not fully box fresh (NBSS 3). Went for a cob and ended-up with an anaemic roll. Still has a reputation as the Ajax fans started to arrive ahead of the Villa game which given its location meant they didn’t find it by chance, and the pub itself is certainly very pleasant. But it’s fair to say that I left a bit underwhelmed and its previous status as a rare 10 on my score chart is sadly no more.
November 2014
Takes a bit of finding up a steep hill, the opposite side of the A38 that acts as a concrete barrier round that part of central Brum. Well-worth the effort though, this a lovely backstreet boozer recently taken over and re-invigorated by Black Country Ales who also run the legendary Welly and Post Office Vaults in town. First signs that this will be a good ‘un is the lovely heritage exterior with impressive colourful glazed tilework and nicely etched windows. The interior has obviously been whacked through at some stage but an effort has been made to reinstall some period fittings (eg the dark wood and mirrors and shell style bar back). Carpeted, with traditional banquette seating which always gets a vote from me. Warm, inclusive atmosphere inside aided by the friendly staff. No food but like the other BCA pubs you can bring your own and staff will rustle up crockery for you. A good selection of local ales available and my Clouded Minds Clouded Stout was in excellent form. All ales had handwritten tasting notes. A great little pub and a default stop for any serious drinker who has a few hours to spare in Britain’s second city; it was the best pub I sampled during a long day of crawling. Rated 10
On 24th April 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Rob Hunter left this review about The Craven Arms
My last visit to the Craven Arms was in February 2019, so I decided it was about time I paid another visit. This is still the traditional old school pub that it was back in 2019 and was somewhat busier, giving the pub a bustling atmosphere just before 4pm on a weekday. A real fire was burning, which helped add to the atmosphere and feeling of tradition.
At the bar, 9 of 11 hand pulls were in operation, four of which were offering beers from Black Country Ales. There were also several keg options that I didn't take much notice of. My Pig On The Wall (mild) by Black Country Ales was very enjoyable.
Reasonably priced pub snacks are available from behind the bar - home made cobs, slice of pork pie, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and crisps, for example. No artisanal £6 scotch egg here, just good honest snacks ranging from £1.50 for a slice of pork pie (which I went for, and was very nice), sausage rolls and scotch eggs around the £2 mark, and if you wanted to push the boat out with a home made cob, that would set you back £2.50 with a variety of fillings including cheese and onion, cheese and tomato, and cheese and ham.
A handsome pub both inside and out, and one I would be happy to spend a bit more time in.
On 6th December 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Delboy 20 left this review about The Craven Arms
It has been far too long since I last took the short stroll from Broad Street. Another rock solid pub from one of my favourite chains. You know what to expect - 3 house beers plus half a dozen guests. My Mallinson's NZ Double was spot on. So was the Aussie Blonde I tried next. A great looking pub from the outside too. Well worth a visit.
On 15th May 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Craven Arms
I really enjoyed my first time visit to the Craven Arms. After the noise and bustle of the Colemore, a much more relaxed seated session in this fine Black Country Ales owned traditional pub with fellow PuG crawlers and a top notch beer selection to choose from.
Alongside the house Pig on the Wall Mild and BFG golden ale from Black Country there was Sharps Sea Fury, Primate Best Bitter and BG Sips Pale Ale from Blue Monkey Brewery, Phoenix Brewery Green Swan, Brew 61 Spring Meadow IPA and Fownes Brewing Korvak’s Burden Breakfast Stout.
I went for the Blue Monkey Primate which was very good but I got smoky chocolate and caramel undertones which I wasn’t really expecting in a Best Bitter and had me thinking I should do a lateral flow test when I got home that night. Fortunately a quick google of the Blue Monkey web site detailed the malts used and I was relieved to discover it wasn’t just me.
Good service levels from the bar staff and I will certainly be looking this one up again when I am next in Brum.
On 24th November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Craven Arms
A good solid traditional pub with a great selection of ales, as described previously. Further comment superfluous.
On 17th October 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Craven Arms
2020 Good Beer Guide Tick thats long been on the list to visit but is slightly out of the City Centre..... although very handy if you are attending the 02 Academy.
Heaving - all the other punters were also attending the 02 Academy :-)
Typical Black Country Ales Pub - classic pubby feel, their signature ales and other rotating guests - all displayed on TV screens.
TItanic Glacial and Oakham Citra in good condition.
Worth seeking out.
On 23rd December 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Craven Arms
UPDATE APRIL 2019
A change in management at the Craven Arms has seen some changes.
It is still very clearly the Victorian street corner boozer it always was and the changes are subtle:
There is now a tv by the bar where the beer board was.
A flat screen beer board is in the far corner from the door.
The service was surly, having previously been friendly and informs the pubs atmosphere.
Short measures were served on every pint and only adjusted when top ups asked for.
Cask beers on were: Black Country Ales - Fireside, BFG, Pig on the Wall and Plum Pig as regulars with guests Kinver Lunar Landing, VOG South Island, Milestone Azacca, Newbridge Little Fox and Swan Priory Porter plus two ciders.
Keg: Salopian Slipstream and Midnight Express, Fixed Wheel Off and Through and Duvel Vedett Extra Blonde.
All that we tried was in good shape but none of the cask beers were over 5% with the strongest guest 4.6%.
Still worth a visit for the extensive range but no longer the go to Birmingham boozer.
Not what it was.
ORIGINAL REVIEW JUNE 2015
The Craven Arms is the epitome of a Victorian city pub standing on a quiet corner just behind The Mailbox.
The exterior is spectacular and is entirely tiled in blue and yellow completed with etched windows. I learnt that the tiling made it easier to wash down any customer vomit which may well still hold true.
The pub is already well described so I'll skip that but the friendly and knowledgable service is worth noting. We visited on a Thursday evening and whilst it was always busy, it wasn't overcrowded and being served was never an issue. The clientele is mixed and it's very easy to get involved in beer related conversation with those drinking at the bar.
Beers available were: Black Country BFG, Pig on the Wall and Fireside as regulars alongside Siren Craft Sound Wave, Love of Work and Broken Dream, Burton Bridge Golden Delicious, Alchemy Kairos IPA, Arbor Why Kick a Moo Cow and Tiny Rebel Loki Lite. A great choice across both strengths and styles and all that we tried was superb.
A tremendous city centre pub.
On 8th April 2019
- rating: 10
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Craven Arms
I found myself in Birmingham earlier in the week so decided to pay a visit to the Craven Arms on my way in to the centre. Nine hand pulls for ale with one of these off at the time of my visit. Of these nine, three were by Black Country Ales and the rest guests. In addition there are two hand pulls round the side of the bar for real cider. An electronic beer board lists the cask, keg and craft can offerings complete with prices.
Pies and sandwiches are available but no hot food. I went for a pork pie to go with my Fireside bitter, both of which were very pleasant.
The pub was quiet on my 12:30pm-ish visit midweek, with just one guy who appeared to have come in to down a coffee and make awkward small talk with the barman, another chap who came in just to use the toilet (and got suitably pulled up for doing so by the barman) and another chap who came in asking strange questions about what was the "newest" beer before ordering a pint which then appeared to disappear also in record time. He also made a strange comment to the barman about the pub being small but "still OK" which I think went down like a lead balloon.
I had definitely put deodorant on that day, so the quick departure of these customers cannot be blamed on me!
This is a small, quiet traditional pub, everything reasonably priced, decent ale selection, clean and tidy, no nonsense, just a solid boozer. Worth a visit.
On 28th February 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Craven Arms
A good looking back street pub more than backed up by its content, Its a proper pub with some decent ale available, three Black Country beers and three or four guests, the Slaters Haka was good enough for a second pint. A very nice pub and a must visit when in town.
On 8th October 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Craven Arms
Splendid back-street boozer, reinvigorated followings its acquisition by Black Country Ales. Bold exterior tiling indicating its Holders Brewery origins, and information inside suggests a construction date of circa 1906. Features include some etched windows, and the whole place has been comfortably refurbished in a very sympathetic way with traditional-style furniture and decor. Excellent selection of nine real ales - including three from Black Country and guests in a range of styles including the Wold Top Festival Series 1 dark (£3.50) - and two ciders on handpump. Should now be on anybody's Birmingham 'must visit' list.
On 15th April 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]