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The Black Country Arms, Walsall
Walsall
WS1 1QW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Black Country Arms
Having been to other Black country Ales pubs this was not what I was expecting.
Up the hill from the market, and 5 minutes from the Station, it looks quite small from the outside. Much larger inside, it does, as previous reviews suggest have the slight feel of a Wetherspoons, its open and on three very different levels. But, this feels much better than a Wetherspoons, yes its on a grand scale, but still manages to feel comfortable and welcoming and does keep a traditional element.
On the beer front, despite the reviews below there seemed an excellent choice of local and national and styles. My Saltaire Galaxy was absolutely superb. Excellent pub
On 7th December 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Black Country Arms
Good points:
A lovely and imposing period building which is very enticing.
16 handpumps offering 13 ales and 2 ciders on our visit including four from Black Country, 2 from Exe Valley and 2 from Burton Bridge over a range of strength and styles.
Clear and up to date blackboard listing all beers on, strengths and colours.
Prompt and efficient service.
Bad points:
I'm personally not keen on how the opening up of the interior by removing 2 floors has created a large but somewhat atmosphereless space. The comparisons made by others to 'spoons are understandable.
Despite trying around half the beers we couldn't find one demanded a second.
Black Country are clearly making a real effort with this place and I hope it works for them. I'd certainly go back if in the area and it's clearly a must visit if in Walsall but I'd urge a touch more care in beer selection.
On 7th July 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Black Country Arms
I’d read a lot of good things about this pub, including a very complimentary article in the Walsall CAMRA magazine from a gentleman who was moving out of the area meaning he could no longer frequent this, his favourite pub, so my expectations were very high – a guaranteed recipe for disappointment.
However, I’m pleased to say that for once, my expectations were easily met. This is a fantastic pub set in a grand building close to the main shopping area. The pub is split across three levels, with the ground floor well furnished with a good range of seating. Stairs lead up to the first floor which is dominated by a very long bar with some large, imposing portraits hanging high above. Seating here is limited to a couple of small tables, but there is another stairway leading to the second floor, which has more seating as well as a dartboard.
The decor is relatively subdued, leaving it looking very smart, clean and uncluttered. It seemed to have found a balance that would please both traditionalists as well as those who prefer drinking in bars rather than pubs. The furniture in particular was functional but also quite plush.
The star of the show is the beer though, with sixteen operational hand pumps dispensing an excellent variety of beer and cider of all strengths and styles too numerous to list here. There were three Black Country Ales on: Fireside, BFG and Pig on the Wall. I had a pint of BFG on the strength of JAQPTIO’s review below and I thought it was very good indeed. The staff were also more than happy to top my pint up once it had settled. Food was being served and most of the mains seemed to be around a fiver, which seemed like very good value.
I think this pub has got an awful lot going for it. It’s in a good location, in a lovely building, it has an outstanding range of beer, is large enough that you should be able to find a seat if necessary and it’s the sort of place you could take friends regardless of their pub preferences. For me, this was the star of my trip to Walsall and I’d like to have a proper session in here and maybe get through a few more of those countless beers.
On 13th March 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ale Monster left this review about The Black Country Arms
A brilliant Black Country Ales pub since 2008, parts of the building date from the 1620’s but it was first used as a public house around the beginning of the 1700’s and was named The Green Dragon until 2006. The interior is a small open plan room with high ceilings to accommodate three levels, as you enter the main door you will see the ground floor lounge area, on the right of the room and up a couple of steps is the bar area which has a long bar counter against the right hand wall, above this are three massive old portrait paintings and opposite the bar is a small fire place with a large chimney breast which is central to the building. Behind the chimney breast are stairs that lead to a mezzanine floor which is on the left of the building and has a fire place on the left hand wall and a dart board. The décor is fairly traditional but with lots of new dark wood.
Regular ales are Black Country Ales Fireside, Bradley’s Finest Golden and Pig on the Wall Mild with up to 13 changing guest ales from all over the country. There is a large chalk board on the wall to the right of the bar counter which lists the beers on offer, the staff prefer customers to order by number as its quicker to find the beer in the long line of hand pulls. “2 number 8’s, a 12 and a 16 please luv” it’s like ordering a Chinese take away, but it does work quite well!
This is a great traditional pub with an astonishing selection of beers which over the last couple of years has become a must visit real ale pub in Walsall town centre. The local CamRA branch uses this place for their monthly youth (18-30) group meetings which has to be a good endorsement. I always pop in for a drink when I am in town, I believe the place is becoming more popular as it has been quite busy on my last couple of visits, word is slowly getting around and the new small menu probably helps.
On 26th August 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 199 recommendations about 199 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Black Country Arms
A rather splendid old building that has been nicely refurbished both inside and out. From the front, you will note the graceful arched windows and bold columns at ground floor level, and looking upwards one can see the distinctive Black Country Ales/Traditional Inns logo inset into the stonework at roof level. Inside, the eye is immediately caught by a bar with a fantastic array of 16 (if I counted correctly) handpumps, including two ciders. Being spoilt for choice from the range of house beers and guests, I opted for the BFG (£2.40) and wasn't disappointed. The layout has been opened out a bit at some stage, but there are plenty of different seating areas at various levels meaning that it retains quite an intimate feel. Overall, very good indeed, and I was just a bit surprised that there were not more customers in.
On 5th June 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Garlick left this review about The Black Country Arms
Agree that it doesn't seem to have as many people in as it deserves - in fact the lack of customers was worrying on my visit. I think geographically it is tucked away in a part of the town where there are few other pubs or clubs and I dearly hope it doesn't suffer for it.
Beautiful historic building, excellent choice of guest beers as well as the usual Black Country beers. Similar in size to the Wellington in Brum and just as good. Deserves to succeed.
On 28th October 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 8 recommendations about 8 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Black Country Arms
The former Green Dragon pub, built onto the side of the old Guildhall (now Sophia's Italian Restuarant) which can be dated back to the 18th century at least, though earlier in other incarnations of the building. Brick facade, with blue and white paintwork and pillasters.
The interior is open plan and on three levels, with the long bar on the second level. The decor is generally white and salmon, with wood panel, moulded ceiling and a few pictures to give a bit of colour. The music is of a decent level, service good, the clientele mixed, though amazingly i dont see the place as rammed out as it deserves to be - all the lager swilling kids going off to the town centre jungle. Smokers outside the door can be a bit off- putting, but its worth fighting your way through.
Beer, a bit of tap tosh, but 13 real ales and a cider. Its is a Black Country Ales place, so had Fireside, Pig on the Wall MILD and BFG on all the time, leaving an odd ten guests. Amazing. Well kept.
This is the only place in Walsall you could spend a full day without moving, as they do do a bit of food now. Miss this place and you deserve to have your ears fall off.
On 28th September 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Andy Ven left this review about The Black Country Arms
Originally a pub called the Green Dragon then became a lap dancing bar but re-found its way as a pub again selling 14 real ales. No food though other than bar snacks. Not bad. The gaffer's efforts should be supported in the current climate.
On 5th April 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 244 recommendations about 240 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mikee Evans left this review about Cobra Lounge
Now reopened as a real ale pub, and renamed The Black Country Arms.
Well worth a visit. Had about 12 different real ales when I visited,3 weeks ago.
On 15th January 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 19 recommendations about 18 pubs]