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Detail Pages
The Red Lion, Solihull
Knowle
Postal town: Solihull
B93 0LY
Pub Type
Ember Inns (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Red Lion
A very striking looking building which dates back to 1670. The interior is multi roomed and I thought it was quite plush and tastefully finished. As Just a Quick Pint mentions below, in spite of this being a food led pub, it has still retained its pub ambience, especially around the right hand side of the bar, where the locals were enjoying a few pints and a chat.
The beer line up on handpump was Purity Mad Goose, Wells Bombardier, Ember Inns Pale, Brakspear, Quarts Brewing Quarts Heart, Purity UBU and a Kirkstall collaboration with Oskar Blues to create a Yorkshire Dales Pale Ale. We went for the Kirkstall, which was an excellent choice and a good first pint to start with, on our visit to Knowle.
On 28th June 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Red Lion
Attractive old Ember Inn, remodelled inside and completely refurbished in the expected mix of traditional and modern but still retaining some character in the various seating / dining areas (especially just to the right of the front entrance). Very food-led of course, but plenty of people in and around the bar just having a drink. Ember pale ale, Brakspear Bitter, Bombardier, Sharp's Juniper Rising wheat beer (£3.65) and two from Purity - Pure UBU and Mad Goose - available from the two banks of five handpumps.
On 21st April 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Red Lion
It looks like a proper pub from the outside - and still looks decent inside! It may be run by Ember Inns but still offers a good selection of ale.
On 25th September 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Red Lion
An impressive, traditional building from the outside which gives way to a corporate Ember Inns interior. In fairness, it's reasonable quality but you can only imagine what it may have replaced.
As expected, a fair bit of the interior is given over to eating and there seems to be some outside space as well but there is also a reasonable sized corner to the right of the bar given over to drinking only. On our Friday evening visit this area was very popular with the locals which made for a lively and busy atmosphere much more reminiscent of a weekend boozer than a gastro chain pub so don't be put off by the Ember Inns ownership if all you fancy is a pint.
Beers on were a very quaffable St. Austell Proper Job, Brakspear Bitter, Ember Pale Ale brewed by Black Sheep, Rudgate Dick Firkin, Purity UBU and Doom Bar. Not a hugely imaginative list but with at least a couple of non-national choices.
The service was friendly and efficient which was no mean feat on a busy Friday evening and although there was never much of a wait for bar staff, time was always taken to pour the beer well.
The only real option for a decent pint in Knowle on our visit and I'd head here first if in town again.
On 21st April 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Red Lion
Typical Ember Inn inside, modern contemporary furniture. All rather boring, but is a step up from the nearby Wilsons & Greswolde, especially as it has around 7 -8 real ales. However the choice was rather standard and the quality average, but at least they are making an effort. One for the family food trade.
On 3rd November 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Red Lion
This Ember Inns chain pub is a very old building and most attractive from the outside.The internal decor is less interesting but does at least contain several different sections as you wind round the inside.The bar is to one side of the building and the section closeby with views over the street has a flatscreen and seems to be the drinkers corner.Food can be consumed anywhere from a very standard chain menu ,but on my Friday evening visit most people were just drinking which gave it a very genuine pub atmosphere,it's popular with the locals.
However the chain vibe is never far away and chronically slow service from a very unfocussed head barman who then uttered the question that should never be asked..."who's next ?" was just plain annoying.The 20p CAMRA discount offset this up to a point.The pub is in the 2014 GBG and the range across the three banks of three handpumps was decent (with some doubling up) being GK IPA and Purity UBU as regulars with guests Rudgate Ruby Mild,Liberation Ale,Wold Top Marmalade Porter and Oakham Citra as guests ,the last two in decent shape.
As it turned out this was the best place for real ale in Knowle,and this is a pub I would return to when next in town.
On 6th April 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]