BITE user comments - Mick_P
Comments by Mick_P
Apparently now closed for the foreseeable future. Here's hoping for a swift and successful reopening. To see it closed is sad indeed.
30 May 2012 16:21
Popped in for a pint at around 6pm on a weekday about a week ago. As mentioned by others., there's a strong 1930s/Art Deco theme, using what appear to be original features as the basis (though the overall decor is well-worn). Barman seemed a bit glum, though did offer my wife a taster of one of the ales when she asked what it was like (perhaps it was easier than describing it). Can't recall exactly what we drank (that said, I 'm pretty sure I had Purity's Mad Goose), but they were very well kept and enjoyable. Friendly bunch of locals at the bar, but very few in apart from that.
13 Sep 2011 09:44
The Black Country Arms, Walsall
Visited a few days ago on a Wednesday lunchtime and while I can see what Snarling Mallard means about the interior, I found it inoffensive and at least it's clean, warm and welcoming, with lots of seating in many different areas, including up on a mezzanine.
The beer was excellent. Tried Black Country Ales' Pig on the Wall, Wooden Hand's Black Pearl and Morton's Essington Gold. Very well kept, good cellar temperature and served with a smile by a friendly barmaid. I'll definitely be going back.
Walsall CAMRA pub of the year 2009 and 2010, plus local darts league champions. Good to see.
See pic for the ales board from that day.
9 Sep 2011 10:46
The Prince Of Wales, Brownhills
Called in at the Prince of Wales this evening hoping for something decent on handpull, not least something from the local Beowulf brewery, which I'd read was on tap there. However, the landlord had nothing at all on handpull and said that he was waiting for a delivery which was late. Apparently, he took over the pub about a month ago. Friendly bloke and I hope his time there goes well.
6 Sep 2011 23:04
Thought I'd post an update after a couple of visits over Christmas and the New Year, plus my first meal there.
We spent Christmas Eve in the busy bar and the atmosphere was good. Pretty loud music, but a decent mix of stuff, I assume the punters' choices from the juke box, though I could be wrong. Service remained pretty quick given the numbers, but it was strange to find that they didn't stock advocaat, so my wife couldn't have a proper snowball. You'd have thought they'd have got a few bottles in for Christmas. I was drinking the St Austell brewery's Tribute, which was very good. A friend was happy with the John Smith's.
On New Year's Day we met a friend there for lunch in the lounge. It was busy but not crowded and there was a wide range of ages. Nice, warm atmosphere and the same friendly and attentive service as ever. Once again the Tribute slipped down a treat and was very well kept. My wife enjoyed the Greene King Abbot.
The food was as good as you might expect for �3.99 for a main course. The menu is limited and (probably, but I can't say for sure) a job lot bought in from a catering company. I had a vegetable curry and a portion or chips (99p extra). It came with a crisp poppadom which wasn't oily. My wife had liver and onions, my friend a chicken curry. All were acceptable if not great. There are also salads available and there's a small range of puddings at �1.99, including classics such as spotted dick, jam roly poly and chocolate sponge.
I always get over to the Railway when I'm visiting family in Pelsall and it's always worthwhile.
2 Jan 2010 09:41
Tried The Bell for the first time over the Christmas period and really enjoyed the lunchime visit. The cask Banks's mild and bitter were both superb. We only used the bar (I assume that's the bar, on the right as you go in, though it does seem to fit what Archivist called the lounge). A low-key radio station was playing when we went it which later turned to the TV being on with some war film playing, but all very quiet and unobtrusive.
Great, old-fashioned room with high ceilings and big, half-frosted windows. Friendly service, jovial locals playing dominoes. Well worth a visit and I'll certainly be going back. Perhaps the largest gent's toilet in Bloxwich, with room for probably fifty people to stand waiting for a place at the trough. Quite bizarre.
2 Jan 2010 09:23
I grew up in Pelsall and even when I was a teenager and into my early 20s, back in the early-mid 80s, The railway was a very good pub. Nothing much has changed, and I say that in a postive sense. I no longer live in the area, but when ever I'm back visiting family, I always choose the Railway to meet up with mates. As others have said, it's friendly, with a distinct bar and lounge. The large and comfortable lounge is very food-led, but you don't feel out of place having a pint and there are often plenty of locals sitting at the bar doing just that. I've never eaten there, but the food looks good and seems pretty well priced. I've noticed some old favourite traditional puddings on the blackboard.
The bar is long and narrow, with a large TV screen at one end and a juke box, neither of which have ever been imposing when I've been in there. There's also a dart board, which I always try to put to good use. There are a few tables out front, which is a good option in the nice weather, given the great location right over the road from the common.
Highly recommended.
15 Jul 2009 18:17
The Railway Inn, Pelsall
NOW RE-OPENED with the same, superb publican at the helm. Long may Tom be pulling pints at Pelsall's finest pub.
2 Aug 2012 11:11