please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Another great visit to this first class pub in the centre of Birmingham, and enjoyed beers from Derby, Worfield, Morton, Acorn and Tower. Good beer in perfect condition, and friendly staff make this a must when in Brum.
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Made my first visit yesterday. Lovely pub, tried three of the 15 beers on all were in top notch condition. The guy behind the bar was chatty and informative. Another great pub for Brum!
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Wow! Have to admit I was saving this until last on a visit to Birmingham recently but quite frankly I could have stayed all day here. 15 hand-pulls in a city centre pub. You don't see that often. And well kept too at a relatively decent price. Especially compared to the Fuller's place next door at £3 a pint compared to around £2.50 in here.
Was a little cramped when I went in due to a party of some kind. Loads of chairs but everyone was standing and in the way. Lot of quality beers on when I was there from Tower, Derby, Coastal and Woodlands (my favourite brewery too at the moment). And letting you eat your own food also is quite genious really. Why other pubs (that don't do food) don't allow it I don't know.
Customers/locals friendly. Lot of CAMRA members wanting to engage in conversation. Well worth a visit.
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Ah, The Wellington… I have a confession to make… I really dislike this place. I just don’t get it. Nice stone exterior – good. Basic décor internally with ample seating – average. Fifteen handpumps and beers available clearly displayed on a flatscreen above the bar area – genius. Condition - perfect... So why do I feel nothing but gloomy when I enter this public house? I think it’s a combination of the fact that unless you are a proper bona fide regular you will be served in the most cold icy manner possible, coupled with ordering your beer by number (conveyor belt imbibing, anyone?) and the overall unfriendliness that hangs in the air. Even the bloody cat was aloof and ignored me! We stood uncomfortably for almost an hour watching the suits pile in for their first pints of the weekend as we supped our halves and made our scratchy notes. I avoided the Fullers London Pride(!!) and needless to say opted for beers by Derby Brewing Co. and Tower instead.Unfriendly to say the least...
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A truly superb pub, every day they will serve you something totally different, whatever your taste in ale (or if you haven't found yours yet) then this is THE place
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Totally Amazing, No wonder the bar staff down the road reccommended the place! a well deserved 9/10, only sad thing is i make it rating number 99,not the elusive 100 haha, neway great pub, visit, NOW!!!
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Another enjoyable early evening spent with friends round a table with an excellent selection of ales to choose from. All in brilliant condition and promptly served. Also enjoy the anticipation of waiting to see what is to come on by watching the beer list on the screen when one of the beers is finished.
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Made my much-delayed debut here yesterday....
It doesn't matter that the seating areas are squeezed into near-alcoves meaning too many people are left standing by the bar, making geting served overly difficult.
It doesn't matter the barspeople (at least on my visit) seemed to lock all patrons with an icy and unwelcoming glare.
It doesn't matter the whole place looks like it's on the verge of crumbling in on itself(especially the tables)
Why do these things not matter? Because this place is solely, utterly and entirely About The Ale It Serves.What a rarity that is in today's Day-glo Two For One/chemical poison world.
Unlike many comments here, I found the ale to be lovingly kept and delivered too. Especially given its city centre location, what an absolute treat
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Great selection of beers, never had a bad one...
Nice and sociable in the evenings (but can be edging on dull during the day). OJS or Welly? No contest.
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I wouldn't say the welly takes itself seriously, it's all 11 types of ace! I've always had a right laugh in here,alright, one barman is a bit moosy, but Nige and Dave are ace blokes, as is the lady (sorry, i don't recall your name) Welly the cat is moody, but he pulls it off with style. Top banana! Best city centre pub by faaaaaaaar!
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Beer can be a bit flat and it takes itself tooooo seriously,manager a bit miserable.
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Just discovered this pub in the middle of town. What a rare gem. Plenty of interesting beers served well without lots of gas and at a sensible temperature. One assumes there is a good turnover of beer - the place was busy at four in the afternoon. Not the most charismatic interior but nice to have a beer without condiments and bits of cold chip on the table. I'll still visit The Joint Stock but this is a beer drinkers heaven.
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Offers the best selection of real ale for many a mile although most are micro's which you may not have seen before. This can be a problem for those who like certain "brand" beers and does tend to make the pub more of a real ale fanatics outlet but non the worse for that. love the fact that they do not do food but let you eat your own and provide plates/cutlery etc.
Bit like marmite really you'll either love it or hate it, personally it'll do nicely.
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I had a lovely Tuesday session in the Wellington, and found 5 new beers, including an Isle of Purbeck and Ufford that I have not seen very often. Great to see beers from newer breweries on offer.There was a lovely atmosphere due to the friendly staff and customers
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Decent, well-stocked and popular pub, but a definite real-ale mecca. This can be good or bad, depending on your interest in beer. As I am on the fringes (I like a good beer, but am not a fanatic), I found it pleasant, but slightly too earnest.
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Not a bad pub. A huge range of ales that are from small micro breweries, many of which I haven't seen before.
I didn't think they served a really bad pint but its one of these pubs that don't have sparkle's on the hand pumps which is probably why the beer can be a little flat.
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THIS PUB IS A FRAUD!!! the beer is never any good and they never serve any beer that actually gets you pissed! This place is for incontinent grey haired fools whole like the odd half pint of weak tea.
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Went with my Wife on the Friday before Xmas. There were 15 beers but only one that I was familiar with. With no tasting notes it was a lottery so I tried two halves at random. They were both served very flat and were nondescript in nature. Not to be daunted I tried another two but these were much the same. In the end we went out the back to The Joint Stock and had a good pint of London Pride for less money! Nuff Said!
However worth visiting for the novelty value of ordering beer by pump number.
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Called in on a busy Tuesday evening before Christmas and had 5 excellent beers. Enjoyed the banter with customers and staff. Much nicer without the smoke when it is so packed. Difficult to see the bar at times with so many drinkers sitting and standing in front of it with their drinks, but when it is so busy there is nowhere to disperse to after service.
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Terrible. really really terrible. Massive selection of ales, all served flat to people who think they know what they are talking about. There is a good reason why other pubs dont have a selection of 20+ ales. Because it is impossible to keep them all in good condition, this pub is the proof.A few decent boozers around this area. This is not one of them.
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Stopped in last Friday. Had a reasonable pint of Holdens Golden Glow. Packed full and rather smelly. Lacking in character in my opinion.
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Excellent idea for a pub to have so many brews on.I liked the hi-tech display of what was available.
Can't believe I hadn't found this establishment before. Sadly I only had time for a pint between trains but I fully intend to return when I can.
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After a couple of months not visiting the wellington, I decided to make it first stop on a pub crawl...
Well worth it as usual. I had a pint of ALElujah. Which was quality, in fact probably enjoyed it better than any other real ale ive tried. IMO
Will need to make sure viists arent restricted to once every months or so. Maybe just every time im in town :-)
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This pub seriously would take some beating!! Beer range is superb as is the quality.Everyone over 20 but no dirty mac brigade either.Can be hard to find for first timers but well worth a visit.The barmaid had 3 heads by the time I left.
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I recently visited the Wellington for the first time. It was a grey, miserable afternoon, and although the pub wasn't empty, it was certainly quite quiet. I was incredibly impressed with the range of beers on the bar, and certainly the one I tried was very good. I also tried a half of a very good real perry. There must be very few places that can match 15 hand pulled beers and then 3 extra pumps set aside for ciders and perries.
Having read that it was in the good beer guide, the drinks were everything I anticipated, amazing choice, and well looked after.
However, I was a touch disapointed by the slight lack of atmosphere I felt. Even when a few of the tables filled up, it was still subdued, and there was no background music, to lift the mood slightly. (I know piped music is contencious, but when done properly, it really does work).
Also, in terms of the decor / interior of the Wellington. Everything was clean and neat and fresh as one would hope, but alas I was left feeling, that for an obviously popular real ale mecca, it really lacked a bit of character.
I would certainly return... so please don't let my seemingly harsh words put you off.. its still a good pub.
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Would have given it 10 were it not for the tools, drills and smell of paint as the workmen had over-run.
Excellent choice of over 12 beers. Good surroundings (usually).
Probably the best pub in the world. Well almost
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lots of interesting beers to try. leave the car at home & enjoy. at lunchtime the office folk come in with their lunch in a carrier bag. the pub doesnt do food, they just supply plates cutlery salt pepper & sauces to go with your takeaway or whatever.
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The cat is called Welly. It has featured on pump clips and I believe is a star on photos in both ladies and gents loos. Was in a playful mood when we called in on Saturday. Beer was good too.
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Superb. 12 beers on. Tried 6 of them. All of them great, especially the Pig on the Wall mild.
The cat was about too... anyone know its name?
10/10 - outstanding!
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Another good night in the Wellington, and although there were only 2 new beers for me, I still enjoyed some old favourites. Agree it is hard to stay for only a couple as the range on offer is so good.
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A unique real ale drinkers Paradise (fools tolerated)
I make a 90 mile round trip to the Wellington most weekends, and have to say that I have never felt the lack of a pint of Stella to be a bar to my enjoyment. The Welly offers 15 real ales, most of which rotate on an almost twice daily basis, 3 real ciders, and a tremendous selection of bottled products. Three specialist lagers and a Weissbeer are also available for the discerning keg drinker. I have never tasted a bad pint in the Wellington, despite having quaffed many. The staff and customers are superb, and the atmosphere is second to none. However there is a downside. It is impossible to visit the Welly for just one pint!
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Top notch real ale pub is always busy and just 5 minutes walk from New St/ Snow Hill stations. Has 15 ales 4 of which are regulars from Black Country and Wye Valley.
No music or gaming machines. The only big screen is the one listing the 15 ales which you order by pump number. Food is not served but you are welcome to take your own and they provide the plates and cutlery. Be sure to visit if your in Brum.
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Great pub with an exellent range of ales from breweries all over the country, a range of ciders also available and no crap lagers like carling or stella.
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Typical Fools Paradise
How many times do I keep coming into this 'real ale' heaven, and discover I'm in 'bad booze' hell? If your on Bennetts Hill do the right thing and get into the Spoons Pub and even Bennetts Bar. They may not have 100 handpulls, but at least you can get a Stella. The Wellington promises so much and fails to deliver, time after time. It is in a state of perpetual flat beer.
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Well worth a visit. Friendly city centre boozer. 15 ales, and 3 ciders.
Slake - 10 Sep 2007 19:43 |
Good to see the Wellington up in the top 40 BITE pubs for more than 1 day. 26th at time of writin. Cant say I have been in every pub or even any of the other top 40 but going by comments and my own experiences of the Wellington this pub should be topping the charts.
anonymous - 20 Jul 2007 12:12 |
Called in here after doing a trail of 10 Black Country pubs, and still found room for the beers on offer. It was the last day of June and there was supposed to be a smokathon going on, but it was not unpleasant. Tempted into having the 9% Kinver Nine Lives with the welly cat's picture on it. Lovely friendly atmosphere for a city centre pub at 10.00pm. Looking forward to the clean air from tomorrow though!
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All the vices and virtues of this pub have already been well presented. I offer some alternative points which it is hoped will either further enhance or diminish your enjoyment of this legendary legless house. CHEESE NIGHTS: a bizarre but succulent event, usually monthly, which you can only gain access to by bringing in your own exotic stinkies. QUIZ NIGHTS: best enjoyed when the quizmeister is well into his cups and has left his teeth in the pie crust. THE WELLYCAT: leave her alone, she hates the sight of you all. GUYS SEATED AT THE BAR: they will move aside for you to get served, but no more than six inches in either direction. Don't grumble, it's genuinely the best they can do. MAN WITH THE SCARVE & CIGAR: who is he looking for? what does he want? MAN WITH THE FOPPISH HAIRCUT, BEARD & RAINCOAT: what is he talking about? THE LOO'S: if needed on busy nights and you're seated by the dart board it may prove prudent to use the toilets in The Joint Stock. POETRY NIGHT: there may not be another one so have no fear (sorry Mr. P I have my tongue firmly cheeks here.)LADIES: mostly soft featured persons without beards. I hope this helps.
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Fantastic pub 5 minute walk from New st/snow Hill stations I visit several times a week it has 15 ales 4 of which are regulars. Also has regular beer festivals. It doesn't sell food but you are more than welcome to bring your own and they will provide the cutlery and plates. If drinking in brum make sure this pub is top of your list.
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Watch out for the poet in residence,
Ticey - 13 May 2007 17:19 |
Had another good session in the Wellington this week drinking first class beers in a friendly atmosphere. The dart board seemed popular too. We had the added bonus of a visit from the Welly-cat. Purrrrfect.
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On Sat was having a all day session and could not help but visit The Wellington twice. Never had an ale on these visits but more than satisfied on previous visits. Drank Pure Czech lager.... top class, I like my lager and Pure Czech was awesome. And yes Mattyboy the pubcat is pure novelty!!!
If you live in Brum and like your beer then there is no excuse not to like this pub. Its a proper pub with proper drinks.
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Nice pub, excellent beer choice, more than pleasant staff.9/10.
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Brilliant pub for beer (which is what you go to pubs for really is it not?) The non smoking section is laughable but we've only got a few months to worry about that. The way you can take your own food is a stroke of genius, as is having a pub cat in a city centre pub. The beers are always well kept and the selection is outstanding. Nigel is a true gent and this pub deserves all the praise it gets. If you go remember to take some extra food for the cat.
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I really enjoy visiting the wellington. The beer quality is always excellent. Whenever I visit and Nigel the landlord is working he always has time for a chat about the beers and his knowledge is excellent. However I visited last Wednesday lunch time and Nigel was not working. Instead of the usual polite service I was served by a short young lad who not only couldn't answer my query about a certain beer on sale but didn't even seem slightly interested in helping me. Instead the newspaper on the side of the bar got his attention.
If all the staff were like Nigel then this would be the best pub in the land. Sadly they're not!
anonymous - 14 Mar 2007 09:25 |
Can't fault a place like this. A real ale dreamland!
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Spot on! Went with a both an ale-drinker and a non ale-drinker. Enough choice for all. Perfect!
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very pleasantly suprised and spoilt for choice ! not only about a dozen beers no hand pump - about 20 more on gravity !!!! shame i dont live closer !
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Handy city centre boozer with an impressive selection of well kept ales from all over the country. Ale lineup is always changing so can't recommend any pints in particular but most are worth a punt. Couple of ciders from the south west which were on top form too. Only try the perry if you want to spend the next day feeling utterly sorry for yourself.
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It is refreshing to find a pub with such a massive commitment to high quality ale in a high profile location as Birmingham City Centre. I have had good beer experiences on two visits, and there is scope for plenty more. Non-smoking area is welcome, although not particularly segregated.
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Real Ale festival in itself! Always 15 ale's on and changing continuosly. Prices are a little high but this is Birmingham city centre! The pub doesn't serve food but you can take your own, including a take-away, and they will supply the plates and cutlery. A quality boozer for the real ale drinker. Visist their web site at http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/index.asp
and scroll down to see their 'live' beer board. Not to be missed.
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Had a great Saturday afternoon in this pub. A friendly atmosphere, not too smokey and prices reasonable for a city pub. Even though busy the staff had time to talk about the ales. I tried seven different ales, all of which were in top condition. It was like being at a beer festival. Hopefully my travels will take me back there at a future date.
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Pub, or youth club, you decide. The new influx of bar staff seem to have the collective beer knowledge of an aemoeba.
anonymous - 21 Nov 2006 15:34 |
Had 9 great beers in a brilliantly friendly atmosphere with good banter with the staff and customers alike. Was not in a smog and found prices comparible with other town centre pubs.
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Had the Pig in the Wall last week and thought it average - pub seemed quieter than before, though no sign of the famous smog ! Worth a visit still.
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Visited mid-afternoon when it was fairly quiet. Every beer sampled was up to scratch. Old Chocolate Ale @ £3.10 particularly pleasant, well worth the price for this strong beer. Has sometimes been smoky in here in the past but then I was visiting at a busier time. All in all an excellent pub.
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Try £2:80 for a 5% beer. A beer that I have seen elsewhere at £2:20.
anonymous - 26 Jul 2006 19:41 |
The previous contributor has presumably not experienced London beer prices. If my memory serves me correctly, on the date of my visit approx a fortnight ago all beers were between £ 2.20 and £ 2.40 which this drinker does not regard as expensive !
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Too many repeats, too many boring breweries and beers and too expensive!!
anonymous - 26 Jul 2006 16:21 |
I like this pub but just a word of caution.
On a recent visit (June 24th) the guest MILD was up to the usual excellent standard. However a return visit that afternoon for the regular ‘Pig on The Wall’ MILD resulted in a beer well past its best and with a taste of vinegar.
Perhaps this is inevitable with the focus being on so many ‘guests’ and the risk that the local drink sells more slowly.
Quantity of selection should not compromise quality.
Anyone trying the ‘Pig’ for the first time on that day may have been be put off trying it again, which is unfortunate as this excellent brand of MILD is in my humble opinion one of the best.
The consistently best-kept ‘Pig on the Wall’ remains to be had, in my opinion, at the Rose & Crown, Birchills, Walsall.
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Real Ale Anorak's heavenly pub - not that I fall into this category of course. I paid my first ever visit to this pub on Tuesday evening, while staying at the nearby Copthorne on Paradise Circus on business.
There were about 12 or 13 real ales on from a total bank of 15 handpumps. All were micros or relatively unknown breweries to average people ( eg Archers, Hoskins, Hambleden ) , There was not one beer that I would call a "mainstream" real ale. Computer screens placed at strategic parts of the pub tell you what is being served from each pump and you order by pump number - eg 3 pints of number 6 and 2 of number 7 - so it's a bit like a Chinese restaurant. I was particularly impressed with the Tom Kelly's Stout - very moreish.
To say it was a Tuesday evening and very sunny outside, the pub was surprisingly packed, with a friendly diverse crowd of people enjoying the wide beer range. Pleasing to see a good number of younger drinkers - not just the "beards".
In conclusion, highly recommended - next time I'm in Brum, I'll make a bee line for this place again.
Cheers, Nigel, thanks for making a passing stranger from down South feel so welcome !
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Is it me or has the range of breweries here diminished over the last few months? It seems as though everytime I go in I have a range of Full mash or Derby beers to choose from. Where have the obscure micro breweries gone to?
anonymous - 10 Jul 2006 14:15 |
Very good night and lots of good beers last Friday at the beer festival. Not too smokey, very close to the station will be going again soon. Now you can see the current beers on thier website
http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/
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Next beer festival will be held here on the 22nd of June. Trade seems to have dipped during the Summer months. The Festival will be having only 24 beers on instead of the usual 30 due to loss of trade.
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The regular MILD is the very well kept "Pig on the Wall" and this is one of few pubs that will regularly have an additional guest MILD. Recommended.
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I think that you will find that Full Mash Half Pint is brewed in Stapleford in Nottingham
anonymous - 11 May 2006 13:50 |
First time I visited the Wellington there was a beer festival on with an unbelievable 4 or 5 MILDS. Lucky to find that many MILDS in one town never mind one pub. Got talking to a few like minded folk.
My next visit was on Carl Chinns pub crawl. Had the regular "PIG on the WALL" MILD a really well kept pint nice and smooth, tasted better than in the Old Bulls Head where its brewed. This was followed by a pint of "Half Pint" from Leicester. I was then shown the back door and led into the back door of the Old Joint Stock, no MILD but the PORTER is amazing.
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Went in today for the first time in a couple of weeks. The price of all the guest ales has increased by 20-30 pence per pint. You are now looking at £2:70-80 for a 4.6%-4.8% beer. Standard cooking beers at £2:50-60. Kerching !!!!!!!!
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mixed feelings about this place. Went in on a weeknight on a whim after hearing good things. Wasn't rammed but there was nary a seat to be had. Didn't notice any particular smoke problem. As far as beer goes I must have gone in on a bad day. Selection wasnt' bad I suppose, maybe 6 or 7 but for a pub that prides itself on its variety this isnt special. Quality was middling. Had a pint of one of the black country ales that seem to be regular. Went down ok but the atmosphere, quality, nor selection tempted me to have another. If you're in town this is probably your best bet, but for me, can't compare to some of the halesowen pubs for quality (hawne) or variety (waggon)
p.s. will post again if i make another trip and change my mind completely
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The Wellington seems to be back on track beer wise.
After a period of fewer rare and interesting beers the ordering seems to be back to normal with plenty of new and interesting beers showing up again.
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Moved onto here after the Coventry beer festival. No problems regarding the range or quality and i found 6 beers new to me. Like the plasma display but you need to get your beer notes jotted down a.s.a.p because if the beer does go the screen is updated very quickly. Will "Currently Being Changed" become the new "Sorry Not Available" ?
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The Wellington seems to be going down hill in terms of quantity and rateability of new beers since the New Year. Until recently it was possible to score 6-8 beers almost every day. Now you are lucky to get 3-4. Lots of repeats are appearing (Wye Valley HPA seems to be a regular beer). The Beers tickers are getting restless and spending much less time (and money) in the place. Nigel and Dave need to sort out the ordering of repeat beers.
anonymous - 15 Mar 2006 14:25 |
I'm baffled by some of the comments i've read about this pub. No atmosphere? i can only assume the correspondent didn't talk to anybody. In the space of one very pleasant evening i talked to the secreatary of the local pipe smokers association, a poet, a gardener, a man with a 5 figure tick list of different beers and a Muslim. As for prices, they don't seem out of the norm for the city centre (indeed it's £1.50 a pint for Black Country Berrs before 1 o'clock) - and if it wasn't an average price, a slightly higher price to subsidise the revenue that is lost by not having fruit machines or a juke box would be a price worth paying. Most importantly the choice of beer is excellent (having happily paid £4.70 for a 12% wonder) and is always in tip top form. If you're in Birmingham and don't visit this pub, you are missing a gem.
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After reading some of the reviews for the Wellington, I wasnt expecting much. I went in yesterday and was completely shocked!
This is one on the best pubs for real ale I've been in. It just goes to show that you shouldn't believe everything you read on beerintheevening.com.
On friday when I visited they had a unbelievable selection of 15 different real ales for across the country, and during by 2 hour stay there atleast 6 were changed. Each beer I tried was top quality and I don't think paying £2.30 a pint is a "complete rip", especially in the city centre.
After reading "anonymous'" review posted on 11 Jan 2006, stating they were charging up to £4.70 a pint I was prepared to spend a lot of money.
I did however question the barman to see if this was true and he told me the full story. Yes they sold an ale for £4.70 a pint, what "anonymous" failed to mention is that the ale was Eastwood's ISA at an incredible 12% ABV, which they apparently paid a small fortune for the beer and as a result have to charge more to make a profit on it. I agree £4.70 for a beer is a lot of money, but it's these rare and unusual beers which make this pub fantastic.
I for one would prefer to see 15 different real ale pumps with one rare and so be it expensive beer on a bar than the typical fight clubs that now taint our towns and citys pumping out Carling, and for the exotic lager drinker "EXTRA COLD CARLING"!
I would recommend this pub to everyone who enjoys real ale and cider. It's a wonderful place to enjoy an excellent pint.
Well done the Wellington- Keep up the good work.
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Excellent Pub, Good selection of Trad Ale and Ciders. I like the plain quite atmosphere during the day, though some nights it can become very busy. The layout needs to be changed to accommodate more seating and can become smokey. All-though despite these few small critism's it is in overview; a hidden Jewel in the centre of the city, and should remain the hidden watering hole for real ale and cider lovers.
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What a place to start our R.A.T.S. (Real Ale Tasting Society) 12th Anniversary 'Crawl' ! We were thoroughly spoilt for choice from the 15 Real Ales (plus 3 changes whiles we were there), and 4 Ciders ! I had 9 different Beers and 2 different Ciders, and they were ALL on top form, a credit to the Landlord/Cellarman ! I see from their poster advertising their 4th Beer Fest (26th - 28th Jan) that they are Birmingham Camra's 'Pub of the Year' ... and rightly so too !
Well done the 'Welly' we will DEFINITELY call in again.
Cheers ...
Dave,
The Sec-RAT-ary,
Real Ale Tasting Society - R.A.T.S. ®
Llantrisant Old Town,
Mid Glamorgan.
www.the-rats.org
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Back here again and beer range just as good and i've no problem with the prices. Early friday so you could breathe as well. What amused me was the local NHS had supplied the coasters and all about their 'Stop Smoking' service. If this ban does come in they'll have to replace all the staff as you'd never get served because they'd all be out the back puffing away.
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Not a nice pub, in the center, a pint of beer here is a rip off.
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the wellington has become a complete rip off selling beer for as much as £4.70 a pint and you cant really call it a pub as theres no atmosphere in the place the only thing you might get from a visit is lung cancer as its that smokey and if you are a lager drinker you may get abuse off the barman for ordering it although they are still happy to take your £2.70 for a pint of it!!your much better off drinking in the anchor in digbeth or the joint stock until they get really with there price policy shame on you nigel!!!
anonymous - 11 Jan 2006 23:53 |
I'd heard so much about this pub and was disappointed. OK, I knew it would be full of beer spotters wearing too small t-shirts with "funny" jokes on the back, but the pub was soul-less and expensive. The beer glasses were warm, and as commented elsewhere, there was no atmosphere.
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Nice pub when you find it! Huge selection of ales, so you could spend ages in there just trying to choose a drink! What customers there were appeared to be locals just there to try out all the different ales, and so could have been there all day!
Good if you fancied to try out some ales, but not so good if you want atmosphere to go with it..
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Have been in here on the last two fridays and on both occasions i've been 'smoked out'. Beer great (2196 real ales when i left) but sort out the ventilation guys.
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Just like being at a beer festival - amazing choice of excellent beer BUT no real pub atmosphere, perhaps because the customers range appears very narrow. You probably have to visit once, but you're better off in Digbeth for pubs.
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Having not been to the 'Welly' for 5 years I was really looking forward to going back to a place for which I have very fond memories. I last visited when it was called Kempsons, and attracted the sort of people that I loathe.
The fact that it was called the Wellington again promised much.
Sadly I was disappointed.
OK..... the pub has sold an extraordinary amount of beers this year, and credit to the management for that.
But a pub needs far more than that. After all the money that has been spent , the pub is still the most smokey in Birmingham.
Despite the smoke the pub was always a fun place. Now it is most definitely not.
Functional....yes. Fun ......no.
Oh for the good old days of the sticky carpet and a bunch of real characters..........back to the Joint Stock then!
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Definately the best pub in Brum, and probably the best pub I've ever been to. Great beers, huge selection. Friendly staff and good mix of clientele.
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This place is really hidden away! But when you eventually find it you are rewarding with a really bewildering selection of real ales. A CAMRA-anorak's dream, and indeed many such types may be found in here, not necessarily a bad thing. Certainly worth a visit, if only to sample some wierd ale. Other than the admirable selection of ales, I felt the atmosphere was a little cold. Maybe that was just the weather though.
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Was in there yesterday for the first time, what a little gem for us anoraks.
Love the BYO food idea, must lose the landlord a small fortune.
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This place is a little inconspicuous from the outside but offers the discerning punter a good choice of real cask ales as an alternative to the chemical concoctions offered by some of the big branded pubs. There was no background music, just chat and BYO food (yoghurt/chips/buffalo or whatever else you care to eat). The place has applied for a 9am to 1am drinks and entertainment licence. Downside: Barman wears an old Derby County shirt.
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This pub has an excellent selection of beers which is well kept. The last time I visited I was invited to see the cellar. However, after an hour in the pub, a group of 15 of us had to leave because of the smoke problem.
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Great pub near the city centre.Loads of decent beers at a reasonable price.The staff know what they are doing and are polite and keep the place clean. Best pub in Birmingham!
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Another trip up from London and just as good. Beers up to 1582 when i wobbled off.
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Smoke tends to be a problem when the place is heaving on Fri and Sat nights - when the doors are opened at the back it really helps though. In the day it is better. I just had a particularly bad experience with some very rude cigar smokers, so perhaps I am more hostile towards it than most! Although something might have to give if they are still going to allow people to bring their own food in when/if the laws change - bring your own food is a brilliant policy, I hope that doesn't change!
The Welly is doing brilliantly with the ales though - look forward to a GBG entry soon, hopefully as record breakers! :-)
I will say one last thing to Apey though - we don't need "air freshener bars" - ever been to the Three Fishes in Shrewsbury? Shows how it can be done, great non smoking pub.
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Another first for me and expecting to have to cut my way through the smoke judging by previous comments. Early saturday afternoon so maybe i got lucky but no problems for me. If you like your real ales this place is a must. Board said 1521 so far this year.
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I usually visit at lunch and haven't found it to be too smoky, could see how it could build up through the day though. Fantastic range of beers and ciders, helpful staff, an absolute must visit in Brum as the city centre is generally poor for real ale.
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Pennee, this site isn't for personal insults. Do do not call me an idiot or make other incorrect assumptions about the sort of person I am.
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Well thanks Apey - you must be one of those idiots who thinks it funny to blow cigar smoke over the non-smoking area!
Here's what I would say about the Wellington: great boozy relaxed friendly pub BUT too smoky. Yes, do leave it as it is, but let's even it out a bit. No air-fresheners needed, just fresh air!
How on earth do people like you actually taste and enjoy the ale? Have you ever actually tasted it properly? I think not.
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Great boozy smoky relaxed friendly pub. Leave it just as it is. We already have enough air-freshener bars for those that prefer them.
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The Wellington now has 15 hand pumps. The pub has sold 750 different guest beers since January 1st 2005. This has to be the best pub in the country for different beers. There will be another beer festival starting on 24th of June featuring approx 30 real ales on stillage plus the 15 on the bar. Smoke is still a problem when it gets busy. Staff are as much to blame for this as customers.
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Good pub in a good location. Fantastic selection of real ales. Nice mix of customers and quick friendly service. Atmosphere is killed a bit by the very unimaginative decor & furnishings.
anonymous - 24 Mar 2005 18:17 |
Great pub, claims to have the fastest changing range of beers in the country and they are not joking.
However, if smoking really bothers you then give it a miss. Smokers are taking over! We have put up with it until now; but they just won't stop selling cigars! The non-smoking area is two tables without ashtrays...right next to all the smokers. Hope they get it sorted asap - let's have a proper division of the space?
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Fantastic pub with great selection of real ale, especially Pig on the Wall, try it if you get chance.
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An excellent real ale pub, very friendly bar staff who are always willing to let you sample before buying.
This pub has knocked the Anchor off the top of my list of B'ham real ale venues
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real ale pub
at least 6/7 guest beers every day
3 standard guest beers from black country ales (pig on the wall, bfg and fireside)
In 6 weeks from 1st Jan 2005 to Feb 11th the pub had 225 guest beers
Steve - 15 Feb 2005 09:02 |
First visit for many years on Sat 29/01/2005, what a surprise. Excellent Real Ale but not much atmosphere, probably because its just been decorated. Lots of CAMRA types around. Excellent location for the stations and Metro. This will become a haunt, I'm sure.
anonymous - 31 Jan 2005 22:35 |
This pub has only been open for a month (opened 18th December)and is already one of the best real ale pubs in the country.
Nigel the landlord is planning his first beer festival for Easter weekend.
Only a 5 minute walk from New Street and Snow Hill Stations
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Logged in to suggest this pub and I see someone has just beaten me to it. It's an excellent specialist real ale pub that claims to have served 120 different beers within about six weeks of opening.
There's no signage to speak of yet so make sure you don't miss it. I wasn't looking for it but went in on the off chance, glad I did. I highly recommend a visit.
It has a real friendly atmosphere and is destined to become a must go to pub for tickers in the West Midlands and further afield.
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the wellington is a real ale pub that opened in december 2004,it sells 10 real ales 3 from black country ales as well as 7 guest beers the quality of all beers is good.this pub does not serve food but you can take you're own plates and cutlery are supplied.
stuart sturmey - 20 Jan 2005 12:01 |
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