02/06/22 – Worcester, Kidderminster and Birmingham

• WordPress
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

After a quick journey from Leeds to Birmingham with National Express I headed up to Birmingham Moor Street train station to get the train to Worcester.

Centenary Lounge

Before getting the train, I visited the Centenary Lounge on the station. From their opening line on their website “the café is modelled on a 1930s Great Western Railway style refreshment room, complete with many of the appropriate features: the iconic GWR roundel, sophisticated walnut panelling and even an authentic period fireplace relocated from the original London GWR headquarters at Paddington station”

Although no real ale on hand pull, they serve a couple of bottles from Church End Brewery, along with local Hogans Cider in Bottles. Went for “Bottle O’Geer”, a delicious English Bitter.

Onto the train next to head up to Worcester Foregate Street (a 35 minutes journey).

The Oil Basin Brewhouse

A small bar just off the main street on Worcester, serves both cask ales (Wintrio Brewery being their own beers but brewed off site), along with several other guest ale choices.

One of their own beers was available on cask so went with this. “The Butchers Beastly Best”, a really enjoyable 4% Best Bitter

Hop Lord’s

A few minutes walk from the Oil Basin, was Hop Lord’s Taproom and Bottle Shop. This opened in 2018.

6 beers available here dispensed from Keg, but a wide range of beers and styles were available in bottles and cans from the fridge. Went with “Increbible from Sureshot Brewery in Manchester”, a delicious hazy IPA.

King Charles II

Around the corner to King Charles II, a lovely old black and white listed building. Named as King Charles II escaped via this pub 3 September 1651.

A great selection of real ales here, 7 of them along with 3 hand pull ciders. Beers from Salopian, Fixed Wheel and Hobsons. Went with the Best Bitter from Hobsons Brewery.

The Imperial Tavern

Onto a pub that is run by Black Country Ales, these always have a great selection of ales and ciders on and are really nicely done out. This ones situated a few minutes walk away from Worcester Foregate Street Station.

10 Real Ales on here to choose from, some being their own beers, alongside other local breweries. Had the Indian Empire from Newbridge Brewery, a brewery in Bilston, Wolverhampton that id not seen around before.

A quick walk around to Worcester Foregate Street Station to board the West Midlands Railway train to Hartlebury.

The Tap House

Situated next to Hartlebury Brewing Company, and one id noticed on the train when id gone to Worcester. Right next to the station and is a lovely pub with lots of outdoor seating.

Good choice of beers here, 7 to choose from with 4 of them being from Hartlebury Brewing Company, so tried a few of those. All delicious and very drinkable.

King & Castle

After getting on the train from Hartlebury to Kidderminster, my first call here was King & Castle, located at the entrance to the Severn Valley Railway station. This is an atmospheric recreation of a refreshment room on a GWR terminus station modelled on Ross-on-Wye.

8 real ales available here, including a couple from Bewdley Brewery. Couldn’t decide between a few of them so went with a tasting paddle (3 x 1/3s), which included both from Bewdley Brewery and the red ale from Backyard Brewhouse.

The Station Inn

A pub on the opposite side of the railway station. A great community pub and very friendly. Got chatting to a local guy “Lee” sat outside who recommended some places to visit in the area.

Four different ales available on hand pull from Wye Valley Brewery and Enville Brewery. Hadn’t tried a beer from Enville Brewery before so went for the Enville Ale, really delicious.

The Beer Emporium

A walk into town now visiting The Beer Emporium first, a really nice spacious one roomed pub which has table service and serves from a room at the back of the pub.

Lots of choice here, 5 Cask, 6 Keg and fridges packed full of cans and bottles. Liberation Ale was my choice, a lovely Golden Ale from Jersey.

The Bear & Wolf

A micropub which opened in 2019 located in the town centre, a lovely seating area inside with the bar located on the left.

Great selection of six cask ales alongside a number of keg beers. Went with a delicious hazy pale ale which is a collaboration between Vocation Brewery and Amundsen Brewery.

Weavers Real Ale House

Last call in Kidderminster is to Weavers Real Ale House, located on the hill heading up to the train station. Small bar inside with some seating outside aswell.

Eight cask ales, two ciders and four keg beers to choose from, lots of the ales being local. Working Mon’s Dark from Britt Brewery was my choice, brewed local at The Britannia.

Wheelie Thirsty

Up to Old Hill on the train now to visit one of Fixed Wheel Breweries Micropubs. This opened in May 2019 and is located in the middle of the High Street. Single room inside with great outdoor seating at the front.

A choice of six real ales most of which are from Fixed Wheel Brewery, alongside a choice of ciders and keg beers so lots to choose from. Lizzie was my choice, a 4% Pale Ale from Fixed Wheel Brewery.

The Shell-Ter Micro Bar

A great little bar with a Military theme which opened in autumn 2017. Packed with lots of military items including gas masks, hand grenades and replica planes.

Choice of 2 cask ales and a cider here. One of the beers was from local Wye Valley brewery.

Fixed Wheel Brewery Tap

Located in a unit on an industrial estate, this is a great brewery tap, lots of room inside and outside, and with it being Jubilee Bank Holiday there was a live singer and food.

Five cask ales to choose from aswell as a great range of keg beers on the back wall. Went with “G-Whizz”, a nice pale ale brewed on the premises.

The Brittania

Great community brewery pub, brews under the name “Britt Brewery”. Really great friendly atmosphere inside and some lovely seating outside especially with the nice weather.

A great choice of seven real ales, a couple of which are from their own brewery, alongside other local breweries. Went with Brit Blonde, a delicious golden ale with a hint of honey.

Cyder & Cobb

Last call of the day was to Cyder & Cobb Micro Bar. A very intimate bar with around 6 tables inside and a few seats outside at the front. Got talking to a local couple in here, nice to chat about where I had visited today.

A choice of four cask ales available, breweries being Wye Valley, Castle Rock, Dancing Duck and Ossett. Decided to go for Majesty from Castle Rock brewery.