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.
Tag Archives: beer
21/02/26 – Stourbridge
Today saw me travelling around Stourbridge, calling into a brilliant mix of pubs and bars with Neil and local CAMRA friends. Each place had its own quiet story, from centuries-old coaching inns to former banks and High Street shops given new life. I enjoyed everything from crisp golden ales and smooth milds to hazy pales and even a dandelion and burdock brew. What really stayed with me though was how welcoming everywhere felt — warm rooms, easy conversation and proper pubs doing what they’ve always done best: giving people a comfortable place to meet, chat and slow down for a while.
20/02/26 – Kidderminster
I spent time visiting seven pubs around Kidderminster, and each one told a different part of the town’s story. I started at The Post House, renamed in 2022 to honour Sir Rowland Hill, which felt welcoming from the moment I walked in. Ye Olde Seven Stars, dating back to 1786, had real old-world charm. Weavers at Park Lane, set in a listed canal-side building, was full of character. Bear & Wolf brought a modern micropub feel, while Weavers Real Ale House was compact and friendly. The Chester Tavern felt like a proper classic pub, and I finished at The King & Castle, proudly tied to the railway.
20/02/26 – Bewdley
My day in Bewdley was spent wandering between eight welcoming pubs and bars, each with its own story to tell. From the 250-year-old Real Ale Tavern, once a bank, to the timber-framed Black Boy dating back to the 1400s, there was history at every stop. The Great Western nodded to the town’s railway past, while The Old Waggon & Horses and Orilla reflected Bewdley’s trading days. Bewdley Brewery brought local brewing back to life, and newer additions like Weavers sat comfortably alongside long-standing favourites. I was met with friendly faces, good conversation and excellent cask ales throughout.
19/02/25 – Worcester
I spent the day exploring Worcester’s historic and independent pubs, beginning at The Cardinal’s Hat, the city’s oldest recorded inn, and continuing through a mix of long-standing ale houses and newer craft-focused bars. Each stop offered its own character, from timber-framed Civil War history at The King Charles House to railway-arch drinking at Arch Rivals. Along the way I found welcoming hosts, comfortable interiors and impressive beer ranges, with strong cask selections throughout. From traditional bitters to fresh-hop Belgian ales and modern session pales, the day showcased Worcester’s rich pub heritage and thriving contemporary brewing scene in equal measure.
14/02/26 – Wallasey, Liscard and New Brighton
I spent a full day exploring Wallasey, Liscard and New Brighton, meeting up with followers and visiting a brilliant mix of independent bars and micropubs. From the intimate Hawkwinds & Jokerman in Wallasey to Liscard favourites like Twelve-Sixty, The Lazy Landlord and The Scrap Yard, each stop offered a warm welcome, good conversation and well-kept beer. I finished in New Brighton at The Bow-Legged Beagle, Homebrew Tap and SUP, enjoying everything from traditional milds to modern pale ales. It was great meeting owners, chatting with locals and seeing these places thriving.
07/02/26 – Newcastle
On my trip to Newcastle, I spent the day hopping between brilliant breweries and old-school pubs, trying loads of different beers along the way. I started with fresh, hop-packed pours at Two by Two and Full Circle, then mixed it up with cosy, characterful spots like The Free Trade Inn and The Tyne Bar. Around Ouseburn, places like Brinkburn Street Brewery, The Cumberland Arms, and The Cluny were perfect for relaxed pints. Later, I found great little bars in town like The Town Mouse and Mean Eyed Cat. Great beer, friendly people, and a cracking day out for me too.
29/01/26-31/01/26 – Barcelona
I explored Barcelona’s craft beer scene with my brother, visiting a wide mix of bars, taprooms and brewpubs, from tiny hidden spots to bigger social beer halls. What stood out most was the variety: each place had its own character, from old brick and wood-filled interiors to more industrial spaces, but all felt relaxed and welcoming. We tried a huge range of beers, especially sours, hazy IPAs, saisons and local brews, often with plenty of keg lines to choose from and, surprisingly, some cask ales too. Overall, the trip was about more than beer alone; it was also about atmosphere, local character, friendly hospitality and discovering Barcelona together, one glass at a time.
24/01/26 – Morecambe, Heysham and Hest Bank
I spent the day pub-hopping around Hest Bank, Morecambe and Heysham, soaking up the vibe at each stop. From the cosy, chatty feel of The Crossing and Little Bare to seafront places like Tide & Tap, Embargo and the old-school Palatine, everywhere felt welcoming and relaxed. I met brilliant landlords, friendly locals and even popped into a family-run gin distillery. The spots ranged from tiny former shops to a grand old hotel, but all kept things easygoing and unpretentious. With buses linking the towns and great cask ale all day, it turned into a cracking little tour of Lancashire’s independent pub scene.
23/01/26 – Lancaster
I kicked off my Lancaster wander at The Tite & Locke in Lancaster Railway Station — a cool little spot mixing old railway character with modern pub comfort. Their Cascade from Lancaster Brewery was an easy start. Then it was over to Merchants 1688, all stone arches and history, for a punchy IPA. Accidental Brewery & Micropub came next, tiny and friendly, where a cherry sour really stood out. Stonewell Tap was lively and full of character, pouring a juicy Verdant Brewing Co DIPA. I wrapped up at The Sun Hotel & Bar with a smooth, relaxed pale. Proper good evening all round.
Micropub Adventures 