- Setting out with Good Intent -
Train strikes and reduced timetables mean that our original Nuneaton intentions have to be shelved, and even though the industrial action affecting West Midlands Railway services ends up being cancelled, we decide to stick with our revised Birmingham remit anyway. After meeting up in the ever-reliable Wellington (where Nick and I unwittingly pair up pints of Leatherbritches' Scoundrel), we proceed to the Good Intent in the Great Western Arcade, a newly-opened Craddock's outlet which operates on not-for-profit principles. Crazy Sheep plays Old Prickly here while Stephen tackles a multitude of icecubes, safe in the knowledge that it's all in a good cause.
- Beaming inside a big bauble -
Central Birmingham is fully in the grip of Christmas market mode so we twist and turn through wave upon wave of shoppers to emerge unscathed by St Martin's Church. Along the way, Nick poses inside a glittering globe feature and we admire the Bull Ring's decorative Christmas tree. The crowds gradually subside as we continue through to Highgate, happily reacquainting ourselves with the Lamp Tavern and Eddie (a true gent of a publican). Cheltenham Gold is on top form as an accompaniment to Heineken Champions Cup rugby, Northampton taking on Leinster.
- The Market Tavern -
One pub we sadly won't be able to incorporate on this forage is the Market Tavern, a red-brick temple of tile and terracotta that ceased trading several years ago. Standing on the corner of Moseley Street and Birchall Street, it used to serve Bull Ring market traders and the Irish community, not to mention a number of backstreet engineering firms. The Grade II listed building is late Victorian (dating from 1899 into 1900) and features an impressive octagonal cupola above oriel windows, so I can only wonder how extravagant the interior might have looked like in its prime.
One pub we sadly won't be able to incorporate on this forage is the Market Tavern, a red-brick temple of tile and terracotta that ceased trading several years ago. Standing on the corner of Moseley Street and Birchall Street, it used to serve Bull Ring market traders and the Irish community, not to mention a number of backstreet engineering firms. The Grade II listed building is late Victorian (dating from 1899 into 1900) and features an impressive octagonal cupola above oriel windows, so I can only wonder how extravagant the interior might have looked like in its prime.
- Feeling festive in Cleary's -
Arguably of even greater landmark status is the Rowton Hotel, which first opened to house migrant workers in 1903 and remains a significant Gothic Edwardian edifice on Alcester Street. We tiptoe quietly past in tracking down Cleary's (previously known as both the Brewers Arms and the Hen & Chickens) for a slice of Irish hospitality, coupling Guinness with a country soundtrack - Exhibit A being Declan Nerney's version of 'Stop the World and Let Me Off'. By way of contrast, the Moseley Arms just up the road is concentrating on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday with Jeff Stelling getting typically excited as the goals start flying in.
- Lighting the way to the Spotted Dog -
Those last two calling points had been places we'd never done before but now we turn our attentions to two of our firmest favourites. The Spotted Dog on Warwick Street is a real cracker, very cosy with a coal fire and a drop of Mallinsons 'What's Going On' (pale and golden giving hints of grapefruit). The Anchor meanwhile seems to have adopted the shabby chic approach - I'm not entirely convinced but the Green Duck 'Smooth Criminal' creme brulee stout is exceedingly indulgent! We heed the instruction not to put our glasses on the pool table as we debate the likely outcome of next week's General Election, Nick naturally being cautious not to break royal decorum by offering too much of an opinion!
- On the black stuff in the Big Bulls Head -
After having his fill of the purple peril (a.k.a. blackcurrant and lemonade), Stephen retires for the day leaving Nick and myself holding the fort at the closing couple of watering holes. The Big Bulls Head sorts out our culinary cravings thanks to a hearty dishful of Irish Stew - utterly delicious I might add! - and then this forage finishes off with further Guinness at the absolute institution that is the Irish Centre. We hear this facility is set to close early next year, relocating to the former Stadium Club on Wheelers Lane in Kings Heath - hopefully this will safeguard the future of an important community organisation although Digbeth won't quite seem the same without it. Cheers!
Some absolute classics here!!! Anchor and Spotted Dog are top class although not been to Anchor since ownership change...visited good intent for first time on Saturday and suitably impressed.
ReplyDeleteCleary's is a proper boozer and a great effort...Is the Mercat still going??
Cheers
Hi Beermat, yes a really enjoyable day with some proper pubs. I love the Spotted Dog and the Lamp Tavern, absolute Brum classics, and the Anchor is undoubtedly good too although I preferred it before the makeover. Don't think the Mercat is still going sadly, and it will be a shame when the Irish Centre moves as Digbeth feels like its spiritual home.
DeleteThe Good Intent made a good first impression so I expect it will do well, and I've got my eye on the Colmore as a new Thornbridge place that's opened recently. Cheers, Paul