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Detail Pages
The Pup & Duckling, Solihull
Olton
Postal town: Solihull
B92 9EU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Delboy 20 left this review about The Pup & Duckling
It has taken me a few years to finally visit, mainly due to the limited opening hours. I found the place to be pretty good with half a dozen customers in just after opening at 4 on a Thursday. We sat out the front so didn't really notice the conversation. I didn't note the beers either but there were at least 6 on. I had an IPA from Byatts which was excellent. I'd happily call again.
On 6th October 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Pup & Duckling
Micropub situated in a parade of shops within a residential area of Solihull. Parking in the surrounding area seemed a bit of a nightmare.
Opening hours here are very limited. It is only open on 3 evenings each week (Thursday to Saturday) and on Sunday lunchtime. The landlord himself was behind the bar. With these opening times, I doubt he employs anybody else.
I remember reading the below reviews a few days before visiting. Strangely enough, there were once again 3 customers around the bar engaging in conversation with the owner and thinking back, there was no real attempt to involve me in any conversation, which you often find can happen in micropubs. Although, it didn't particularly bother me.
I still quite enjoyed my visit here though. Having frequented a couple of Wetherspoon's, a couple of Ember Inns, a couple of Thwaites pubs, a Yates and a Brewhouse & Kitchen, it was nice to have both a nice drinking environment and a decent range of ales and ciders. 6 ales were on in all - Hawkshead Dry Stone Stout, Burning Soul Mount Olympus, Tiny Rebel Carrot Cake, Byatt's Phoenix Gold, Riverhead Sherbet Lemon & Squawk Pavo. Ciders were Lilley's Somerset Scrumpy Dry, Weston's Family Reserve & Harry's No. 8. Although the ciders weren't listed anywhere. Customers rely on the owner reeling them off. Also in one corner of the bar, a craft beer is also dispensed. This was Howling Hops Go Pedal.
As Real Ale Ray says, there is a smaller room at the rear to retreat to if you're feeling shunned by the lack of conversation. I was happy listening in to discussions around local micropubs and the this one's forthcoming beer tasting event. Just behind where I'd sat, there was a very good range of bottled beers which were also discussed.
Despite the obvious criticisms of this micropub, I'd still rate this as my favourite pub of the day on a visit to the West Midlands.
On 13th July 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2454 recommendations about 2453 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Pup & Duckling
I totally agree with Danny's review below, the owner and three of his cronies at the bar were so unwelcoming and made it so obvious that they didn't want to engage in any conversation with outsiders at the bar. My second visit to the bar counter was even worse, as I cracked a joke, being jovial as I am, and the owner's son then tried to belittle me and said 'come again? I don't understand what you're saying', then he looked me up and down as though I was something on his shoe. I stayed calm and took the Mrs into the back room where we met a couple of friendly rockers and enjoyed a beer and a laugh with them. They were so decent that they saw us waiting for a bus and took us to the train station.
This micro opens at 5pm on a Saturday, which is far too late in my opinion. The owner also couldn't be bothered to put up a beer board or pricing on this visit. There was three beers on out of six handpumps, so we went for Siren Suspended in Magic, which was rank and tasted like alcopops, also three other customers handed it back to the bar and promptly walked out. Our second choice was Bexley Five Arches, which was fine, but overpriced at £3.60 a pint.
On 27th June 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Pup and Duckling
unwelcoming micro pub that is best left to the locals. Shame, as its in an area with little ale choice.
On 31st May 2016
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Pup and Duckling
Micropub in Solihull. Limited opening hours - best to check the website.
On 16th March 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]