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
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