REAL ale lovers have given their seal of approval to dozens of Black Country pubs and breweries following the publication of a latest beer bible.

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) launched the 45th edition of the Good Beer Guide which recommends the best pubs in Britain for real ale drinkers.

A total of 28 pubs from Amblecote, Cradley Heath, Dudley, Halesowen, Kingswinford, Lower Gornal, Lye, Sedgley, Stourbridge, Upper Gornal, Wall Heath, Wollaston, Woodsetton and Wordsley feature in the book.

Thirteen breweries from across the area also get the CAMRA seal of approval.

The 2018 guide was launched at the newly crowned West Midlands Pub of the Year, Weavers Real Ale House in Kidderminster on September 14.

Licensee Dean Cartwright, who runs Brierley Hill-based Pig Iron Brewery, is also opening a new pub in Rowley Regis.

Beer consultant Brett Laniosh, who is also a former national director for CAMRA, said: “We are delighted to launch the 45th edition of the guide.

“The fact that we have around 1,700 breweries included shows how far we have come since the first edition which only had four.

“The guide is only possible thanks to CAMRA volunteers taking part in reviewing and assessing the quality of the pubs and the beer and huge thanks go to them.

“We have major challenges and pressures in the industry so it is important we keep up our campaigning.”

Guide editor Roger Protz, who is retiring from the role after 24 years, added: “The Good Beer Guide 2018 recommends the best pubs in Britain for real ale drinkers.

“The guide is compiled through independent judgement and recommendations, meaning pubs are chosen on merit alone rather than being charged for an entry, as is the case with many other guides.

“If you have a passion for ale and want to know the best places to find it, then this book can be an invaluable resource for you."

The Good Beer Guide 2018 is now on sale and available to purchase for £12.99 at https://shop.camra.org.uk/goodbeerguide2018.html.

Pubs:

Amblecote

Robin Hood in Collis Street

Swan in Brettell Lane

Cradley Heath

Plough & Harrow in Corngreaves Road

Dudley

Lamp Tavern in High Street

Halesowen

Fixed Wheel Brewery Tap in Long Lane, Blackheath

Waggon & Horses in Stourbridge Road

Kingswinford

Cottage in High Street

Park Tavern in Cot Lane

Lower Gornal

Black Bear in Deepdale Lane

Fountain in Temple Street

Old Bull’s Head in Redhall Road

Red Cow in Grosvenor Road

Lye

Shovel in Pedmore Road

Sedgley

Beacon Hotel in Bilston Street

Bull’s Head in Bilston Street

Mount Pleasant in High Street

Stourbridge

Badelynge Bar in Rufford Road

Barbridge in Victoria Passage

Red House Boutique in Foster Place

Royal Exchange in Enville Street

Waggon & Horses in Worcester Street

Upper Gornal

Jolly Crispin in Clarence Street

Wall Heath

Wall Heath Tavern in High Street

Wollaston

Unicorn in Bridgnorth Road

Woodsetton

Park Inn in George Street

Wordsley

Bird in Hand in John Street

New Inn in High Street

Queen’s Head in High Street

Real Ale Breweries

Angel Ales in Halesowen

Bathams in Brierley Hill

Black Country in Lower Gornal

Craddock’s in Stourbridge

Fixed Wheel in Blackheath

Fownes in Upper Gornal

Green Duck in Stourbridge

Holden’s in Woodsetton

Olde Swan in Netherton

Pig Iron in Brierley Hill

Sadler’s Ales in Lye

Sarah Hughes in Sedgley

Websters in Wollaston