The wellington, birmingham

[Good Ed]

Watch out for the vomit and piss on the pavement on a Saturday night up Broad Street but you'll be fine don't worry, just don't fall in the cut Hope you enjoy your stay, there's a lot more to do in Brum than people realise.

 

[RokDok]

Watch out for the vomit and piss on the pavement on a Saturday night up Broad Street but you'll be fine don't worry, just don't fall in the cut Hope you enjoy your stay, there's a lot more to do in Brum than people realise.

Not bothered by that- just adds to the atmosphere.

SWMBO just told me that Brum has as many canals as Venice.

Cheers

RD

 

[Good Ed]

I think more actually.

This is a nice pub, not far from Broad Street, you'll get a pint of Purity's UBU there http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/theoldcontemptiblesedmundstreetbirmingham/ and you'll get a pint of Purity's Mad Goose in the Wellington.

The Art Gallery and Museum is also just up the road at Victoria Square, they have the Staffordshire Hoard on display, about 1.5kg of Anglo Saxon gold discovered in a field by a metal detector person, one of this biggest collections of it's kind, well worth a look in.

 

[Pearlfisher]

A visit to Symphony Hall is a must , it's so brash.

 

[RokDok]

I think more actually.

This is a nice pub, not far from Broad Street, you'll get a pint of Purity's UBU there http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/theoldcontemptiblesedmundstreetbirmingham/ and you'll get a pint of Purity's Mad Goose in the Wellington.

The Art Gallery and Museum is also just up the road at Victoria Square, they have the Staffordshire Hoard on display, about 1.5kg of Anglo Saxon gold discovered in a field by a metal detector person, one of this biggest collections of it's kind, well worth a look in.

Thanks GE and thanks PF.

Have booked a three night stay, and the ticket on Sunday for the NEC.

Will be up about 8pm on the Friday which will be perfect,we'll visit the above together with the Motor Cycle museum and just get the feel of the city.

I'm really looking forward to it.

RW- I'll probably order halves at the Welly and try and get through all 16.

Cheers

RD

 

[RokDok]

Just got back today.

Thanks very much indeed for the heads up.

Had a really superb time, didn't get to do everything we intended but, did get to the Welly (twice), the PO vaults- these guys really know their stuff. Also went to the Shakespeare on the first night- didn't get up till quite late, and had a few at the Wetherspoons on Broad St last night as we were completely knackered. Wetherspoons was a disappointment - two of the three beers I had there were cloudy and sour.

Managed ( I did write them all down ) 19 different beers, the most memorable being the blonde beer from Purity and the Citra fROM Oakham. They were all amazing and very well served. The Welly was like Heaven. In fact I phoned a friend and asked him if he was going to my funeral ( I'd had a few by then ).

Went to the symphony hall and also spent most of Saturday at the museum/art gallery- & did see the Staffordshire hoard exhibition.
Also walked around by the canals, the war memorial.

Ate at Pushkars (twice)- the best Indian we've had for at least 15 years, andhad a course at Purnells bistro

Everyone was really friendly we had a fantastic time and are looking forward to going up again, many thanks

RD

 

[Good Ed]

Glad you had a good time, Brum is very underrated. All the Purity beers are the tops, my favourite is Mad Goose, and have made a passable imitation which I brew often. The Wellington and the PO Vaults are managed by the same person, Nige Barker, he does a great job, and he gets plenty turnover as a result. Curry's are great here, the city centre may be not the best for them, but are ok.

Look forward to your next visit, not sure if you like athletics, but there is a Grand Prix meet at the National Indoor Arena next February, it's very good, Mo will probably be there, he likes Brum as well.

 

[johnnyboy1965]

Saturday afternoon, I had trip to the Post Office Vaults. Absolutley amazing, 8 maybe 10 beers on draft (not much choice you say) Over 200 different bottled beers from all over the world. They have literally got everything to suit your taste. They also provide a brochure about the bottled beers, not a piece of paper, a actual catalogue. The staff are very knowledgeable about the beer they sell, and also take pride in serving it. A little bit expensive, but as the catalogue says "Sometimes its about Quality and Quantity".
Im sorry that this post is in the Wellington section, put apparently they are both owned by the same people, and if you visit tthe Wellington, make sure you go to the Post Office Vaults (3mins walk away)

I was wrong..they have 294 bottled beers... www.postofficevaults.co.uk

 

[RobWalker]

Glad you had a good time, Brum is very underrated. All the Purity beers are the tops, my favourite is Mad Goose, and have made a passable imitation which I brew often. The Wellington and the PO Vaults are managed by the same person, Nige Barker, he does a great job, and he gets plenty turnover as a result. Curry's are great here, the city centre may be not the best for them, but are ok.

Look forward to your next visit, not sure if you like athletics, but there is a Grand Prix meet at the National Indoor Arena next February, it's very good, Mo will probably be there, he likes Brum as well.

yeah, my face always glows when the local pubs switch over to a purity beer...they're crackers! perhaps lesser known is the Backyard Brewery beers too, which are really good! based up in Walsall.

johnnyboy, no probs, i'm sure it'd be next door to the welly if it could be...looking forward to a visit :thumb:

 

[Good Ed]

perhaps lesser known is the Backyard Brewery beers too, which are really good! based up in Walsall.

I like their beers also The Hoard is great :thumb: get it at out local Wetherspoon's from time to time

 

[gingerhammer]

Great pub,only been there about 10 years now,I took the first delivery in to it.Cracking beer,no bs,bring some scratchings and pickled eggs.Its got soul.

 

[31bb3]

the black country arms in walsall is the same really good pub great atmosphere some might remember it as the green dragon up the market

 

[itbrvilla]

Nigel who owns the Wellington and the PO Vaults has just opened The Woodman Near Curzon Street station and Millenium Point. Not had chance to visit yet but have heard good things so far. :drunk:

 

[Good Ed]

Nige is a top bloke, it will be on my agenda next time I'm in town. It's been one of the pubs standing in wasteland over the years, now part of the Eastside redevelopment. When HS2 comes in it will be the nearest pub to the station

Other pubs to visit are the Gunmakers Arms, near St Chads Cathedral, and the Craven Arms, back of the Mailbox, (the Arms have it )

 

[johnnyboy1965]

Nigel who owns the Wellington and the PO Vaults has just opened The Woodman Near Curzon Street station and Millenium Point. Not had chance to visit yet but have heard good things so far. :drunk:

That's interesting I used to use The Woodman every Friday evening and then it went downhill. With HS2 coming they will be sitting on a goldmine if run correctly

 

[itbrvilla]

Nigel who owns the Wellington and the PO Vaults has just opened The Woodman Near Curzon Street station and Millenium Point. Not had chance to visit yet but have heard good things so far. :drunk:

That's interesting I used to use The Woodman every Friday evening and then it went downhill. With HS2 coming they will be sitting on a goldmine if run correctly

Its also close to the college and Aston Uni so should have a steady stream of customers during the academic year at least.

 

[johnnyboy1965]

Spent a couple of hours at The Woodman on Sunday evening. My report:- 16 beers and ciders on tap, and the 4 that I tried were of a good standard (Oakham Asylum was very good). A good selection of continental beers behind the bar, though Im sure this will extend. There were about 10 customers in there and all seemed to be enjoying the different beers. I think its a Grade II listed building in the traditional style of a corner pub (love that architecture). The interior is in real need of some attention, and again, Im sure that this is being addressed. I really like the Victorian wall tiles, but I think these are unsalvageable (shame). The staff were well presented, attentive and courteous. I look forward to seeing what they do with this pub. Definatly (sp) worth a visit if your over Eastside or Millennium Point.
Watch were you park as there was a lot of break in evidence (beyond the owners control) and the way Eastside has changed is beyond belief...If you remember what the area used to be like.

 

[Good Ed]

Well I have just discovered that The Wellington is owned by Angus McMeeking, who set up the Black Country Brewery in the Old Bull's Head in Lower Gornal (my sister lived there for a bit a while back), there had been a brewery there since 1834 but this ceased in 1934. Also they bought The Craven Arm's (back of the Mialbox) last year, so that explains why there is always Pig on the Wall and all their other brews on tap.

 

[RobWalker]

I've been to both the welly and the craven in the last week, both are still excellent pubs. i can't believe how friendly the welly is, somebody trod on my foot and gave me the most sincere apology i've ever received in my life!

they had a call out for memorabilia at the craven, so most of the old stuff so you see has been donated by the pub goers.

 

[Good Ed]

Was at the Craven Arms during the week, a choice of two Simcoe pale ales :thumb: and was at the Post Office Vaults this afternoon after the athletics at the NIA and the Summit Pale Ale from Raw Brewing was really really nice :thumb: shame I had to leave