The Festive Forage 2022

Ding Dong Merrily On High! It's that time of year when Santa finalises his lists of who's been naughty and who's been nice, when reindeers go into training for their round-the-world flight, and elves work overtime on the toy production line. December also of course means that Nick and I must stage a Festive Forage, our annual yuletide pub spectacular which this year will focus upon Birmingham...

- Percy the Party Penguin -

Nick and I have both been very well behaved indeed during 2022 so we're permitted to meet up on Saturday 10th December for some festive fun. A Grand Central rendezvous means we can confirm the precise location of Birmingham's brand new Wetherspoons (the London and North Western) on New Street's station concourse; it's predictably packed so we'll save it for a future trip and instead focus on Smallbrook Queensway street art and the Penguin Parade sculpture trail. 'Pullover Penguin' awaits us on Hurst Street outside the Hippodrome and looks warmly wrapped up in her woolly jumper. We then have the challenge of negotiating shopping malls and escalators in order to find 'Percy the Party Penguin' on Primark's top floor; his dapper snowflake-themed attire makes the hunt worthwhile. 

- It's Penguinning To Look A Lot Like Christmas -

Prior to Percy we'd also had the pleasure of navigating/getting totally lost in Selfridge's trying to track down 'Buddy the Elf Penguin' near the toy department - admittedly we were somewhat distracted by giant teddy bears, yellow bull models and inflatable Father Christmases. Buddy eventually does receive his photocall and we complete the set courtesy of 'It's Penguinning To Look A Lot Like Christmas' in Rotunda Square (note the colourful folk-flavoured patterns as inspired by Matryoshka dolls). The Frankfurt Christmas Market is getting into full swing along New Street so we decide to dodge the growing crowds by catching the Midland Metro along its Westside Extension via Broad Street and Five Ways. 

- Edgbaston Village Tram Terminus -

Metro operations through to Edgbaston Village actually began back in July albeit this was my first opportunity to see it for myself; I'm particularly impressed with how the tunnel beneath Five Ways roundabout has been made a tram-only space. We alight alongside the Hagley Road and have a brisk walk around the block, checking out Highfield Road and The Oratory Church - the latter was founded by Saint John Henry Newman and has served the Catholic community since the 1850s. An opening drink would be nice but the Ivy Bush (on Monument Road junction) doesn't necessarily appeal to those of us with regal standards to uphold. No matter, we simply rejoin the tram to the Library stop and nip into the ever-reliable Prince of Wales for some Korvak's Verdict dry stout and a munchies-busting cob. 

- "What is this curious concoction?" -

The Prince of Wales is a long-time favourite of ours anyway although we are impressed by its Black Country Ales makeover which has created a lovely relaxing bolthole nestled away from the festive throng. We do briefly brave the Christmas Market hurly-burly once more en route to Piccadilly Arcade where I'm keen to introduce His Majesty to the Dig Brew Beer Club, a craft bar that proved an absolute revelation on a recent Hub Marketing adventure. The rudimentary upstairs seating area makes for quite a culture shock after the relative comfort of our opening haunt, while the 23-19 kettle sour similarly takes some getting used to with its raspberry, vanilla and pink salt tartness - Nick has never drunk anything remotely like it previously.

- Springwell Pils in the North Taproom -

With the tram on hand to funnel us through the shopping hordes, we quickly decamp to Snow Hill Queensway where the North Brewing Company launched their new taproom at the tail end of November; setting up in Birmingham marks a first foray away from their Yorkshire roots and the result is a distinctly modern drinking experience amidst sleekly glazed office-type surroundings with the tram tracks passing right outside the front door. A cooling fault means some of the craft lines are temporarily out of action but we're more than happy to partake of Springwell Pils and park ourselves on a bench end for half hour or so. Culinary enthusiasts may be interested in the resident Little Bao Boy street food concession, busy with orders for temptingly-filled steamed buns. 

- Balloon Dog, Birmingham Children's Hospital -

A typical Festive Forage is nothing if not a day of contrasts, so we follow the contemporary almost clinical nature of North with the Davenports-derived reboot that has brought new life to the Queens Head on Steelhouse Lane. We remember coming here when it was known as the Jekyll & Hyde (which placed much emphasis on gin parlour glamour) so it's intriguing to see how reverting to the pub's historic name has melded with that sense of paying homage to a famous Birmingham brewing institution. The current Davenports brand certainly seems keen to maximise such provenance and we're very willing to see how their Vanilla Porter stacks up; an enjoyable half ensues, sitting in a covered courtyard admiring plastic lemons as you do! Our penguin exertions from earlier prove fine preparation for further sculptural discoveries down by the Children's Hospital, where a giant red balloon dog has joined The Big Hoot's 'Florence Nighting-Owl' and 'The Bear That Cares' from The Big Sleuth.

- Beaming Broadly in The Bull -

Mindful that we don't want to miss the World Cup quarter final football match later in the evening, we finish off at a couple of Gun Quarter mainstays we always hold in high esteem. The Bull on Price Street is the reigning Birmingham CAMRA Pub of the Year no less and I'm delighted to see it retains an extensive crockery collection timelessly hung above the bar counter. Ale-wise it has to be Church End's Gravediggers Mild in superb condition, moreishly smooth with a nice roasted edge. Just around the corner lies the Gunmakers Arms, taphouse for the Two Towers Brewery which means we have a tricky choice between Hockley Gold, Complete Muppetry and Jewellery Porter - naturally the darker brew gets the nod. The pub does much to celebrate local artists and photographers plus has a regular programme of live music, what's not to like? Dusk has descended upon Bath Street as we take our leave and that's another Festive Forage filed for posterity - cheers!