The Great Western, Wolverhampton

Bucking Fastard left this review about The Great Western

ORIGINAL REVIEW February 2010

Absolutely outstanding traditional boozer ,quite difficult to find behind the station.However full range of Holden beers and the wonderful Bathams Bitter together with a rotating range of other guests all on top form make this pub a pleasure to drink in.Very easy to get thoroughly pissed in such a friendly atmosphere,even the vicar shows up to keep an eye on his flock.There is also an everchanging list of guests beers many of which are from close to the West Midlands.If only more pubs were like this......

UPDATE

A significant downgrade from a previous rare 10,my latest visit was a huge disappointment.The fabric of the interior hasn't change but the charm has been lost after a corporate makeover by the owners Holdens Brewery. The walls have been cleaned ,but brilliant white paint is just too much,all the staff wear GWR branded clothing and all the tables are numbered to aid food service.The legendary hot pork baps have been replaced on a corporate menu by "pork mini bloomers". Most serious of all is the only guest is the still excellent Bathams Best (NBSS 4.5) but gone are the three handpumps in the Bullshit Corner section of the bar that used to regularly have excellent strong ale options such as Blue Monkey Ape Ale,Oakham Green Devil IPA and Thornbridge Jaipur IPA . On my recent trip Holdens dominates with their Golden Glow,Black Country Bitter,Special,Mild and Dragon's Blood plus a single handpumped cider.
Service at the bar was haphazard and some regulars got served before other who had been waiting much longer,a sure sign that standards have dropped.
So today this pub is a Holdens tied house with a guest in Bathams Best and not much else unless you really like Holdens beers and railway memorabilia.Such a shame .

On 30^th June 2023 - rating: 7
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