A Wollaston Afternoon

1877 must have been a very good year indeed for that's when two of my favourite things were founded - Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bathams Brewery. Both organisations would feature to some degree or other during this weekend wiggle around the Stourbridge suburb that is Wollaston...

- Corbett Hospital Gates -

It's Saturday 15th October 2022 and my quest is to track down some of Bathams' special 145th Anniversary Ale, a limited edition elixir that's been available at their tied houses while stocks last. A trip over Stourbridge way has been selected as it gives me a couple of chances to find the beer in question, hence I catch the 16 bus from Wolverhampton at 10am. Alighting just as I near the town centre, I commence photographic action with the blue and white gates outside the old Corbett Hospital, looking in better condition than the adjacent lodge building. The original hospital was operational from 1893 through to 2005 but has then largely been demolished, replaced with a smaller scale outpatients-only facility. 

- Kingsway, Wollaston Farm -

Linking onto the A491, I cross Coalbournbrook Bridge (on the Stourbridge Town Arm Canal) and join High Street Wollaston. Memories of the Barley Mow abound as I spot the Sainsburys store that now occupies the former pub before I venture into the Wollaston Farm estate. Rog first introduced me to the area back in 2004 and the flats along Kingsway don't seem to have changed much since we were riding the 293 circular bus around here; the 8 is the incumbent route these days. Several of the residential roads have county-themed names such as Dorset, Kent and Devon while amenities include a Nisa Local store, a fish bar and St James's Primary School, not forgetting the Wollaston Free Church on Somerset Drive. 

- The Unicorn -

Emerging into Wollaston Village by the Bridgnorth Road roundabout, there are several pub options in the vicinity such as the Kingsbridge micropub, the Princess (Craft Union) and the Gate Hangs Well. I however have only one place in mind, the undeniably excellent Unicorn which Bathams have owned since 1992. Recognised for having a heritage interior with inter-war elements, the layout comprises three main rooms and a lovely suntrap back garden. Alas the Anniversary Ale has already sold out here but I'm hardly going to complain about having a pint of Best Bitter to go with my lunchtime cob. The regulars are the stars of the show though, busy debating the recent merry-go-round of Chancellor appointments and extolling the merits of Jacob Rees Mogg - let's just say I don't share their enthusiasm on the latter point!

- New Inn, Cherry Street -

Some backstreet investigating via Studley Gate, South Road and The Broadway means I spot the Alderman Tye Scout HQ and some shops on the Whittington Road turning. Gigmill Primary School earns itself a picture or two while the New Inn on Cherry Street is a pub I haven't been in for absolutely ages. Some Wye Valley HPA in the smartly-furnished lounge is a nice way to pass an hour or so as the gourmet burger van parked on the side yard tries its best to tempt me with maple-fired meat feasts. Over the road, Gigmill Methodist Church boosts my photo count with hints of 1930s architectural style across the main chapel and associated hall. 

- Mission Accomplished! -

My second shout at obtaining the elusive brew comes at the Royal Exchange on Enville Street and this time my luck is well and truly in. At 9.3% abv the Anniversary Ale is wisely only sold in half pint measures; deep chestnut in colour, it is loaded with the resinous characteristics you'd expect from a barley wine - seriously good stuff! Delighted to be tasting a little piece of local brewing history, my mood is further buoyed by news that Wolves are beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Molineux. It's therefore a very happy Mr WME who makes Stourbridge's Hop Vault bar his final calling point for a quality glass of Kinver Green Gold in amongst shelves upon shelves of craft offerings - the artwork on some of the cans is a thing of wonder. Cheers!