Pub Patrol

Friday 30th July: Outing No. 4 in the growing series of periodic pubcrawls with Stephen and Nick. The running order thus far had seen us tackle Gornal, then Netherton with the Delph, whilst last time was a Metro-based Wednesbury effort - today it was the turn of Stourbridge...

* Armed with our plans, we meet for lunch on Sedgley Beacon, orange battered chips and breezy views over the surrounding landscape.

* Pub 1: The Beacon Hotel - my personal liking for this classic gem of a pub is surely well documented now. I can think of no better place to start, sitting in the snug with half of Ruby Mild and looking forward to what the afternoon might have in store.

- Nick in the Beacon Hotel -

* Walk into Sedgley trying to think of famous Max's - Boyce and Bygraves immediately spring to mind. Onto the 558 into Dudley as Nick contributes Max Mosley, then we change onto the 246 for a look at Russells Hall Hospital, Woodside and Brierley Hill.

* Pub 2: The Robin Hood - alight in Amblecote, and after quick shots of the Swan and the Starving Rascal, its down Collis Street to another Paul pub favourite. Nick tries some Enville Ginger whilst I go for Slater's Premium Bitter. A cosy setting with books, indentures and a bottle collection to admire - Stephen also comments on the goalframes in the urinals, bizarre!

* A wander down towards Stourbridge, passing the cricket club and calling by at the Bonded Warehouse. The traffic is building as we head for Friday afternoon rush hour on the ring road.

* Pub 3: The Royal Exchange - sampling the Enville Street experience with a brace of Bathams' boozers. First is the Exchange, with its inviting passageway, traditional bar and pretty beer garden. We sit however in the little lounge room, a distinctive setting for some Bathams Mild and a look at a poster of Irish writers.

* Pub 4: The Unicorn - Bathams Part 2 takes us to Wollaston Village and a pub full of local characters engaged in banter and conversation. We try the Bitter this time as we soak up the cracking atmosphere and peruse the Bathams 2010 calendar - I want one!!

* Back on the buses with the X96 from Wollaston Junction into Stourbridge, changing onto the 9 for Halesowen. The tour guide in me kicks in again as I provide my own brand of commentary for Lye and Colley Gate. Stephen has also got hold of the cricket score, sounds like England are on top in the Trent Bridge test vs Pakistan.

* Pub 5: The Waggon & Horses - off at the new bus station, with Nick a little undecided as to it's merits. Beer mecca awaits us next, as the Waggon and Horses has its usual wide eclectic range to pick from. The bar is bustling so we find a quiet corner to savour a crusty pork pie washed down with Northumberland Sheepdog for me and Malvern Hills Black Pear for Nick. Mr B enjoys his customary lemonade and blackcurrant as we read Ales & Tales and the Leicester Drinker.

- Enjoying a drink in the Waggon & Horses -

* The day is going well so far as we make our way to the Hawne Tavern on Attwood Street. The pub was absolutely packed so we decided not to stay, although I liked what I saw and the amount of regulars is recommendation enough in itself - one for the future perhaps...

* Back on the 9 then as we move on to Lye. Nick ponders the plethora of Balti houses as we try and dodge the drizzle, noting the Windsor Castle and the Railway as we stroll down Pedmore Road.

* Pub 6: The Shovel - our final port of call and a pub I've had my eye on for quite a while. It seems to be part way through a makeover so I wasn't quite sure what to make of the place. The beer was enjoyable though, some Nelson's Treasure Trove for me with Nick on the Brough's Pale Ale.

* Its back into the squall as we decamp to the bus stop, timing it just right for an otherwise empty 9 back to Stourbridge. Its then 256 duty for the ride back home, and another successful outing safely takes its place in the exploration pantheon. Thoughts turn to future trips, with Kinver, Walsall and Coventry amongst the possibilities for investigation next time around...