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A day out starting at Dickens Heath to visit the Ale Hub Micropub, moving onto their other Micropub in Shirley. Onto The Shaking Hand in Shirley, bus out to Knowle for the Ale Rooms and finishing back in Solihull at The Pup & Duckling. A day filled with Micropubs!
First journey of the day was to get the train from Stratford-upon-Avon towards Birmingham Moot Street, getting off at Whitlocks End. Around a 20 minute walk from here to Dickens Heath.
Ale Hub – Dickens Heath
My first call of the day was to the “Ale Hub” in Dickens Heath. A number of micropubs in the region are owned by the same family (and called the same).
A really relaxing seating area in the micropub with the bar located on the left at the rear. A good selection of 3 cask ales alongside some draught selections. Great to see crusty sandwiches on the bar aswell.
Went with the “Gold” from Ludlow Brewing Co. An easy drinking Golden Ale and a great one to start the day with.
Ale Hub – Shirley
A short taxi ride from Dickens Heath to Shirley to visit the “Ale Hub”, another from the same family as the last micropub visited. A great friendly feel again upon entering the pub.
A similar setup to the last bar with lots of seating around (along with outdoor seating at the front), with the bar being on the left hand side.
A choice of 4 real ales on the bar with 2 being from Wye Valley Brewery in Hereford. I went with “Chinook & Loral” a tasty beer from Ossett Brewery as part of their Synergy series.
Shaking Hand
A 20 minute walk down to Shirley Parkgate Shopping Centre where the “Shaking Hand” Micropub has been located for the last 4 years. A great looking one roomed micropub.
A fantastic range of beers here from some breweries you dont often see in the area. Breweries from Scotland, Kidderminster, Derby and Manchester. I went with “Birdie” from Copper Beech Brewing Company based in Kidderminster.
Ale Rooms
Two busses to the next Mocropub changing in Solihull Town Centre. “The Ale Rooms” is located in Knowle which is about 10 minutes on the bus out of Solihull. The Ale Rooms used to be a former funeral directors, and has won several CAMRA awards since it opened in 2016.
A great choice of 7 beers here to choose from, I went with “Super Star IPA” from Silhill Brewery based in Solihull, a beer packed full of flavour.
The Pup & Duckling
Last call of the day and another 2 bus journeys, one back into Solihull Town Centre and then out to Hatchford Brook. “The Pup & Duckling” is a 3 roomed micropub located in a long term closed shop unit.
A really busy bar with people coming to the bar one after the other (and it had just opened). It has also won 2023 Branch pub of the year. Outside seating at the front and a small beer garden at the back. A good range of cans/bottles is also available.
A great choice of 7 cask beers here alongside a couple of keg beers and a selection of ciders. I went with “Summer House” from New Buildings Brewery in Leicester, a new brewery for me. A tasty IPA with a bit of strength.
Micropub Adventures 