Yes, the 2026 version of the Black Country Ales Trail is happily upon us. Every year during the months of March, April and May, the brewery invites intrepid pubgoers to collect stamps across their estate with potential prizes to be won. This year there are 55 pubs taking part, with the rewards for anyone who visits at least 25 of these being a rugby shirt plus a £25 gift card. I've claimed my passport so let's get going...
- Lych Gate Allegiances -
There are Black Country Ales establishments as far afield as Hereford, Leicester and Rugby but my first stamp comes closest to home with a pint at Wolverhampton's Lych Gate Tavern. The date is Friday 6th March and Stephen is joining me for the afternoon fresh from his latest stint of exam invigilation duties; we meet just after midday with me already in situ, part way down a lovely glass of Froth Blowers Cloudburst Porter accompanied by a tasty samosa. Mr Beardsmore also avails himself of the snacks cabinet for a meaty sausage roll - he is quite a connoisseur of all things pork is our Stephen and gives this a sound thumbs up. Any doubt as to the Lych Gate's footballing loyalties are dispelled by the presence of a massive Wolves flag.
- The Black Country Arms -
For me much of the fun of the trail involves getting round to places you haven't been to in a while, or to borrow a cliche it's the taking part that counts! Walsall presents a double stamping opportunity once we've survived any Friday traffic on the 529 bus route through the notorious Junction 10. The M6 is actually moving surprisingly freely hence we reach the Black Country Arms in good time, remembering the days when the local rag market would have passed its front door and stretched up the hill to the foot of St Matthew's Church. I digress and need to discuss beery matters so I'll place on record that my second inking is secured courtesy of Front Row's Red Roses cherry-infused stout, sitting upstairs amidst unexpected dangling birdcages. The Black Country Arms always rates highly in CAMRA circles and is the 2026 Walsall Pub of the Year, a most deserving winner it must be said.
- Peanut Caramel & Chocolate in the Pretty Bricks -
Second place in that esteemed competition has been awarded to the Pretty Bricks on John Street, a little cracker of a backstreet pub that belies its otherwise grim industrial setting with a very warm welcome. Making ourselves at home in the cosy front bar next to a set of mounted ornamental beer taps, I eagerly partake of New Invention's mouth-watering Peanut, Caramel & Chocolate Stout as brewed literally up the road (well, a couple of miles away to be precise) in Bloxwich. Make no mistake, this is immediately right up there as one of my best pints of 2026 but I do have a sweet tooth so anybody giving me liquid pudding is going to win my affections. Mr B and I ponder footballing and political matters, chatting away in time honoured fashion.
- The Three Horseshoes -
The trail thread is next picked up on Saturday 14th March when I stitch a couple of Sandwell stamps into my logbook. A tram ride across to Black Lake puts me in prime position for getting the Three Horseshoes on Witton Lane, collecting sunny pictures of Hateley Heath and Hill Top along the way. Although I arrive not long after midday, the place is already utterly rammed due to a combination of pre-match West Bromwich Albion fans and a 60th birthday party (the lady in question turns up just before 1pm and is promptly serenaded by the entire pub). Settle's Old Smithy Porter delivers the dark ale I'd been hoping for, and I must commend the company on their recent refurbishment here, everything looking very spick and span indeed.
- The Rising Sun -
It's a gorgeous spring afternoon so a towpath tickle into Tipton is ideal for stretching my legs and earning my next stamping. The Tame Valley Canal from Holloway Bank to Toll End offers vistas for the purist, if you happen to like pylons and National Grid substations that is. Better 'scenery' awaits on Horseley Road in the form of the Rising Sun, a one-time National Pub of the Year champion where I grudgingly concede that a wall of Baggies memorabilia is almost acceptable. The beer is good - Golden Duck Tinner's Tipple backed with Downton's Elderquad - but is eclipsed by a generously filled chicken tikka salad cob that sends hunger packing. A large screen shows Coventry losing at home to Southampton as the Saturday sporting action commences while Reggie the dog prowls about hoping for discarded pork scratchings.
- The Jewellers Arms -
The fine weather holds firm through to the evening of Tuesday 17th March when Bookworm Bygrave and I will be on quizzing duties in the Jewellery Quarter. Prior to the Barrel Store's testing trivia, we call into the Jewellers Arms on the junction of Hockley Street and Spencer Street. Painted signwriting for Hand Pulled Ales entices us inside to discover a characterful interior of tiled fireplaces and vintage local photography, very much in keeping with the Black Country Ales house style. Beartown’s Creme Bearlee is a beer I'm always pleased to see, laden as it is with sweet stout notes plus a smidgen of Madagascan vanilla no less. Quiet corners are perfect for chatting about a whole range of topics (well libraries mostly) then a respectable fourth place is as much as we can muster at Attic's arches bar quizwise, falling foul of Madonna's earliest #1 singles and lack of knowledge about famous Patricks. Cheers!
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