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Discovering Hidden Corners of the Black Country
I started out in Blackheath, calling into The Crafty Jar and Artisan Micro Bar before moving on through Halesowen, Netherton, Tividale and Quarry Bank. It turned into a proper gentle wander, hopping between micropubs, brewery taprooms and long-standing locals, each with its own story. Everywhere felt welcoming and easy to settle into, with warm rooms and friendly faces. I enjoyed some cracking ales along the way, from bright, citrusy pales to smooth, maltier classics. Highlights included chatting in historic pubs and finding lively darts corners. It was a simple day built around good beer and easy conversation.
Blackheath, Halesowen, Netherton, Tividale and Quarry Bank all sit in the heart of the Black Country, an area shaped by coal mines, ironworks and busy factories. Years ago, this was a hard-working part of the Midlands, with canals and railways carrying goods in and out. Halesowen grew around its old abbey and market, while places like Netherton and Quarry Bank became known for chainmaking, glass and brewing. Tividale and Blackheath grew as industry expanded. Although the heavy industry has mostly gone, the character remains. There’s still a strong sense of pride, history and community running through these towns today.
Blackheath
The Crafty Jar
After Stourbridge I got back on the train to nearby Rowley Regis and a walk to the Blackheath area brought me first to The Last Jar. Last Jar in Rowley Regis opened in December 2024, giving the building a new chapter. Before that, the space had been used for everyday local businesses, including a barber’s shop, serving people going about their normal routines. When Last Jar opened, it brought the building back into regular use rather than leaving it empty. Its story is a short but familiar one, where a small town space changes purpose as times move on. The Last Jar’s history is rooted in simple reuse, showing how places in Rowley Regis often shift roles while staying part of daily life.
Inside feels comfortable from the moment you step in. Exposed brick and warm wood give the room a relaxed, familiar feel, and the long, narrow layout works naturally without feeling cramped. Seating is simple and sociable, with benches and stools that make it easy to settle in and chat. Soft lighting runs along the walls and ceiling, keeping the space gently lit rather than bright. A few framed pictures and solid brick pillars add character without overdoing it.
4 cask ales to choose from on the bar, with a number of keg options in addition. I went for Hop Star by Silhill Brewery, a hoppy ale with bright, citrusy flavour and an easy finish.
Artisan Micro Bar
Just around the corner in Blackheath was Artisan Micro Bar. Artisan Micro Bar on Halesowen Street in Rowley Regis opened in January 2025, giving the building its latest chapter. Before that, the space traded for several years as Cyder & Cobb, which first opened there in autumn 2017 and became a familiar part of town life. When Cyder & Cobb closed, the building was taken on and gently brought back into use rather than being left empty. Its history is a simple one of a small town premises changing names, pausing briefly, and then finding a new role while staying part of everyday life in Rowley Regis.
Inside feels small, warm and easy to settle into. The space is simple and well laid out, with the bar at the heart of the room and seating arranged so nothing feels squeezed. Soft lighting adds a gentle glow, shifting in the evening to give the place a relaxed, laid-back feel without taking over. The walls are full of small details, from framed pieces to rows of colourful pump clips, which add character without feeling cluttered.
A single cask ale on the bar, their house ale along with a range of keg beers. I went for Artisan Pale Ale by Hobsons Brewery, a pale ale with gentle hop fruitiness that’s smooth and easy to drink.
Halesowen
Fixed Wheel Brewery
Onto Fixed Wheel Brewery next. Fixed Wheel Brewery was set up in 2014 by cycling and brewing enthusiasts Scott Povey and Sharon Bryant, blending a love of riding with an interest in making beer of their own. It grew out of a personal leap into brewing on Long Lane Trading Estate in Blackheath and slowly became known locally for its small-scale, hands-on approach. The team opened their on-site taproom in the years that followed so people could visit, taste and chat with the brewers. The brewery’s history is gentle and grounded in community, passion and steady progress over time.
Inside the taproom at Fixed Wheel Brewery, the space feels easy and relaxed. Brewing tanks sit right there in the room, giving everything a working, lived-in feel. Wooden tables and mismatched seating are spread out comfortably, so it never feels cramped. Soft string lights warm up the black walls and exposed beams, with framed prints and a couple of old bikes hung from the ceiling adding quiet character.
A great selection on the bar of 4 cask lines, 10 keg lines, a range of ciders and further choice available in cans. I went for Wig Sir? by Fixed Wheel Brewery, a pale ale with bright citrus and hop notes that’s smooth and easy to drink.
The Shell-Ter Micro Bar
Next up is The Shell-Ter Micro Bar . Shell-Ter Micro Bar opened in 2017 on Nimmings Road, beside Shell Corner in Halesowen. Shell Corner takes its name from a World War I memorial featuring an artillery shell, erected to honour local servicemen and long used as a reference point in the town. The microbar’s name plays on both this landmark and the idea of wartime shelters. Opened during the rise of the micropub movement, it added a small, independent venue to Halesowen’s pub history.
Inside, it feels snug and full of character, with hardly a spare inch anywhere. Dark beams run across the ceiling, covered in wartime signs, flags and bits of memorabilia that give the place its shelter theme. Tables are small and close together, so everyone’s never far apart, and the mix of benches and chairs looks collected over time rather than planned. The bar itself is simple and to the point, tucked neatly to one side. Maps, photos and old notices fill the walls, and soft lighting keeps everything relaxed and welcoming. It’s a space that feels lived-in and well used.
On the bar a single cask ale along with a wide range of keg options. I went for Pardoe’s Bumblehole by The Olde Swan Inn Brewery, an easy-drinking ale with gentle malt sweetness and a smooth finish.
Double Tops Micro Bar
Just over the road in Halesowen is Double Tops Micro Bar. Double Tops opened in Halesowen in September 2025 as a small, darts-themed microbar built around people and the game. From the start, it was about friendly competition, chalked scoreboards, and relaxed conversation. The compact space encourages talking, laughing, and watching matches unfold throw by throw. New faces are welcomed easily, and regulars quickly feel at home. Leagues, casual games, and spontaneous practice sessions soon became part of daily life. With no distractions or fuss, Double Tops grew naturally into a warm, familiar spot where darts come first and everyone is welcome.
Inside is warm and welcoming from the moment you walk in. The space is long and comfortable, with soft lighting and wooden floors that lead you naturally towards the dartboards at the back. Two boards sit proudly against a leafy wall, where most of the attention settles. The bar runs neatly along one side, easy to lean on, while small tables and stools fill the front. The walls are covered with darts signs, photos, and little details that feel personal and well loved.
A selection of 2 cask ales on the bar along with a selection of keg options to choose from. I went for Shropshire Gold by Salopian Brewery, a golden ale that’s smooth, lightly fruity and easy to drink.
Snooks
My next call was to Snooks. Snooks is a long-established snooker club based in Sydney House on Long Lane, a late-19th-century building from a time when Halesowen was shaped by local industry and skilled trades. As work patterns changed during the 20th century, the building found a new role as a place for indoor games and friendly competition. Over the years, Snooks became known locally as somewhere people could enjoy snooker at their own pace, from casual frames to serious play.
Inside is bright, busy and friendly. The long wooden bar is the first thing you notice, with people standing around chatting and catching up. Soft hanging lights keep the room warm and easy on the eye, while TVs sit quietly in the background. The walls are simple, with stripes, framed pictures and shelves filled behind the bar. Further back, the snooker tables are set out neatly under steady lights, giving players space to concentrate.
On the bar a selection of 4 cask ales along with a wide variety of keg options. I went for Blonde by Green Duck Beer Co., a light blonde ale that’s crisp and easy to drink.
The Swan Inn
Further up the road in Halesowen lies The Swan Inn. The Swan has been part of Halesowen life for many years. It started as a traditional local pub, a place where people could meet, talk and relax. Over time, it faced the risk of closing, but help came at the right moment. Black Country Ales stepped in, bought the pub and invested in its future. This saved The Swan and allowed it to keep its character. Today, it remains a friendly, down-to-earth pub with strong ties to the local area.
Inside feels comfortable and welcoming. Low ceilings with dark wooden beams give it a proper old pub feel, helped by soft lights, patterned wallpaper and framed pictures on the walls. There are small tables, snug corners and stools by the bar, making it easy to settle in and relax. It feels busy but never rushed. Out back, the beer garden is simple and easy-going, with wooden tables, hanging baskets and shelter overhead. It’s a calm spot for a chat and a drink, especially when you want a little fresh air.
A fantastic line up of 9 cask ales to choose from along with a variety of ciders and keg options. I went for Castaway by Bosun’s Brewing Company, a refreshing pale ale with gentle fruitiness and an easy finish.
Netherton
The Old Swan
The Old Swan in Netherton has been part of everyday life since the 1800s and was popularly known as “Ma Pardoe’s”, remembered as a home-brew house. Licensed on this site since 1835, it became one of the few pubs in England still brewing its own beer through the 20th century, with the brewery operating until 1988 before ceasing. Brewing restarted in 2001 behind the pub after refurbishment, and the Old Swan continues as a traditional brewpub drawing locals and visitors alike.
Inside, the Old Swan feels like stepping back into a warm, lived-in corner of history. Rich, dark wood frames the bar and snug seating areas, with deep red panelling and patterned upholstery giving each space its own intimate feel. Old photographs, brass fittings and quirky bric-a-brac dot the walls, while small tables and benches invite relaxed conversation over pints and snacks. There’s a beautifully preserved decorative tiled ceiling, painted with geometric and bird motifs including the swan emblem — one of only a few of its kind still found in UK pubs — adding a touch of old-world charm overhead.
Fireplaces and mantelpieces in the back rooms hint at quieter corners once used for gentler gatherings, while an organ and other curios reflect the pub’s lively social past. The lighting is soft and welcoming, casting gentle shadows that make the Old Swan both cosy and characterful — a place that feels unchanged yet comfortable, with nooks for every kind of visitor.
It was fantastic meeting and chatting to Paul in here. On the bar a selection of 6 cask ales all brewed on the premises alongside a few keg options. I went for both Ma Pardoe’s Original and Pardoe’s Entire by The Olde Swan Inn Brewery, two classic ales that are smooth, balanced and easy to drink.
Tividale
Tivi Ale Micro Bar
Onto Tividale to visit Tivi Ale Micro Bar. Tivi Ale opened in June 2018 and takes its name from a traditional local pronunciation of Tividale. It sits in a small unit on Regent Road that was once a convenience store, with flats above. After the shop closed and the place stood empty for a while, it was given a new lease of life as a micropub. The result is a friendly, unfussy place built around conversation and connection, turning a former shop into a proper local watering hole with a strong sense of continuity and care.
Inside it feels small, cosy and easy to settle into. The space is long and narrow, with simple wooden tables, tall stools and a few tucked-away corners where people linger. Patterned wallpaper and framed touches give the walls some warmth, while a large mural at the back adds character without feeling showy. The lighting is soft and warm, bouncing off dark tabletops and wood finishes. Near the front, high seating faces the windows; further back it becomes quieter and more relaxed, making the whole place feel welcoming, familiar and comfortably lived-in.
On the bar a selection of 4 cask ales along with a variety of keg options to choose from. I went for Moose River by Hop Union Brewery, a golden pale ale with floral, fruity hop character that’s balanced and easy to drink.
Quarry Bank
The Beer Bank
My final call of my trip to the West Midlands was to The Beer Bank. The Beer Bank opened on Quarry Bank High Street in 2023, taking over a former shop that had been closed for some time. Local owners converted the small retail unit themselves, giving it a new lease of life and returning an empty frontage to everyday use. From the start, it became part of local routine, somewhere people naturally stopped to talk and catch up. Its short history is a straightforward story of reuse and renewal, showing how a long-shut shop was turned into a familiar and well-liked fixture on the high street.
The Beer Bank feels lively in a comfortable, familiar way. Inside, long wooden tables run through the middle, making it easy for people to sit together and talk. Soft lights hang overhead, giving the room a warm glow, while exposed brick, painted walls, and bits of artwork add character without trying too hard. Seating is a relaxed mix of benches, stools, and chairs, so the space never feels fixed or formal. Even when it’s busy, it feels easy-going and welcoming.
Drinks wise a selection of 2 cask ales to choose from on the bar, along with a variety of keg choices. I went for The Art of Van by Fixed Wheel Brewery, a pale ale with gentle hop fruitiness that’s easy to drink.
Micropub Adventures 