The ‘local’scene
New licensees at the Wheatsheaf in Birmingham Street, Walsall, have introduced real ale with Wells Bombardier as a regular, but also providing guest beers including recently Buckleys Bitter (3.7% ABV) and Old Mill Bitter (3.9%), similarly, new licensees at the Tap & Spile, John Street, Walsall, are showing promise, an excellent pint of Titanic Steerage (3·5% ABV) was enjoyed in January, alongside the regular Caledonian Deuchars IPA (3.8% ABV). A series of "Meet the Brewers" nights are planned with sample tastings of their beers. Wye Valley HPA (4·0% ABV) has been
seen on sale as a guest beer alongside Taylor's Landlord and Shepherd Neame
Spitfire at the King Arthur in Liskeard Road, Park Hall, Walsall. Yet another Banks's pubs to report selling guest beers from the Marston's and Jennings stable and their monthly guest beer rota is the Horse & Jockey in Walsall Road, Darlaston. A slightly different approach to selling real ale is found at the Dog & Partridge in Sandwell Street, Walsall where a range of 15 bottled real ales have been seen on sale.
Walsall CAMRA members were delighted to hear news from developers Urban
Splash that the Wharf 10 Bar next to the New Art Gallery in Walsall is to be
retained in the development of the area. Highgate Old Ale, a classic winter warmer
only put into casks in the winter months, seemed to be as rare as usual this year,
but has been seen on sale at the Wharf, and also at the Duke of Cambridge in
Short Heath. It's always a pleasant change to find dark beers on sale in pubs, in particular cask porters and stouts as CAMRA urges its branches to support these beer styles. There are about 200 versions brewed regularly or seasonally but these come
mainly from the micro breweries, and so can be hard to find. RCH Old Slug Porter
and Titanic Black Ice have both been sold recently in the Turf Tavern in Bloxwich.
Members saddened by news
Members of Walsall CAMRA were saddened to hear of the recent death of Jan 'the
Duchess' Hines, wife of Ron Hines, licensee of the Duke of Cambridge in Short Heath after a short illness. Ron, Jan and their son Paul have been at the helm of this family run pub free house for 23 years, always offering a warm welcome and a fine selection of real ales. Our sympathies and condolences are sent to Ron, Paul and their family.