Beer We Go!

Friday 5th February saw Stephen, Nick and myself venturing across to Sedgley and Gornal for an afternoon sampling some fine Black Country hospitality...

Meeting Mr Beardsmore at 1pm, its over to Sedgley courtesy of the 558 bus. A quick stroll leads us to the Beacon Hotel, where Nick is waiting expectantly with his half of Ruby Mild in the back lounge. The Beacon has been a personal favourite of mine for some time now, a pub where Bruce was always welcome and I think it now has Stephen's seal of approval too. I join Nick on the Ruby Mild, and we settle in the corner on a table near the low serving hatch and ponder what the rest of the day might have in store. The conversation turns to blogs and calendars, so here I am keeping up my first part of the bargain!

We're in need of some sustenance after that excellent start, so its over the road to sample the Beacon Chippy and its 'famous orange battered chips' - this seemed like quite a claim to begin with but the chips more than lived up to their billing. We munch our way back through Sedgley and beyond to Upper Gornal, with me maintaining a regular diet of photos too courtesy of the Bulls Head, the White Horse and the Leopard.

The second stage of our beer pilgrimmage involved a visit to the Jolly Crispin, a little cottage-type pub on Clarence Street. The place certainly had a cosy, compact feel with lots of dark beams adding to the character. With Stephen on the lemon and black, Nick tries some Honey Porter and I brave the Black Hole, another wise choice. The pub provided a great setting for more stimulating conversation, with Nick explaining that a porter in beer terms is a dark-coloured beer that isn't quite as strong as a stout, the chat also being punctuated by regular bouts of darkness whenever the 558 bus stopped outside the window.

Part two completed, I then act as tour guide as we wander down into Lower Gornal. I think the chaps enjoyed the views from Moden Hill, whilst the Good Intent, the Crown and the Miners Arms (a tempting Holden's) all ensured that my pub photos were still flowing freely. Our destination in Lower Gornal was The Fountain on Temple Street, another real ale classic that I was particularly looking forward to visiting. The interior seemed more luxurious here, with an extensive restaurant around the back where the speciality appeared to be a mix and match combination of various sausages, mashed potatoes and gravies. The beer menu was also extensive, with Nick and I both deciding to try Town Crier, a nice ale from the Hobson's Brewery in Cleobury Mortimer.

Leaving via the side entrance, it was now time for one of my lengendary diversions (just ask Rog!) - hoping to find the Black Bear, I took completely the wrong turning and we ended up at Five Ways on the Himley Road. The Five Ways pub ensured it wasn't a wasted ramble, but after a swift half we quickly decided to get back on track and hike it up Redhall Road to the Old Bull's Head. This pub is the brewery tap for Black Country Ales, with Nick and I keenly sampling the Pig on the Wall Dark Mild - the name of the beer commemorates a Gornal legend along with a much-lamented pub that was demolished to make way for a McDonalds restaurant. Some comfy blue seats beckon, and we add in a final few Cheers photos whilst reflecting on what had been an enjoyable afternoon - the Chip Foundation rides again. The Old Bull's Head had certainly proved a fitting place to finish off, and at 5pm we took our leave and caught the 541A back to Wolverhampton as darkness descended. All in all, it was an authentic Black Country experience and I hope that further such outings can be arranged in future...