SraffordshirePubs

Pub Guide

Staffordshire

This will only be covering South Staffordshire, probably the Kinver area.

Martson's and Banks's pubs: Back in the 1980s, Banks's and (especially) Marston's pubs and ales were a guarantee of a superb pint and usually something interesting in a pub. Unfortunately in the last few years, this is no longer the case. All the Marston's/Banks's pubs I have tried recently serve the beer much too cold and also squeeze it through a much-too-tight sparkler which destroys the taste and makes the beers these pubs sell (often quite an interesting selection) all taste rather "samey" and often bland. It is a great pity and for this reason, I generally avoid these pubs, though I do occasionally try them just in case there are any which buck the trend. I would love to try some Banks's or Marston's beers at an independent pub or from the barrel (e.g. at a beer festival) just to find out if they are still as good as they used to be.

Pub Details	Photographs (click to enlarge)
Kinver - The Cross Inn Church Hill, DY7 6HZ, Tel: 01384 872 435 Situated just off the one end of the high street, this pub was refurbished and re-opened in 2010 after being derelict for some years. It is now owned by Black Country Ales and, as is usual with their pubs, serves a number of fairly obscure beers from around the country as well as BCA's own brews. The pub is clean, comfortable and copy, with an open fire in the winter months. Beer: BCA various (none on at my visit), plus about 4 guests ales. 8-3-11: Orkney Northern Light (very good, but a little hazy); Downton Maryska (Ok but a bit cloudy) ; White Horse Boiling Well (excellent) Food: Snacks such as rolls, cobs, toasties and pies all under £2 each (Tuesday lunchtime visit) Last Visited: March 8, 2011
Kinver - The Royal Exchange DY7 6ER, Tel: 01384 872 683 Small traditional locals pub at the north end of the town at the start of the Enville road. Real fire. Beer: Bank's Bitter; Wychwood's Bah Humbug (excellent - extremely tasty) ; Ringwood Huffkin ale (very good, but a bit bland) Beer a little on the cold & over-sparkled side. Food: Not sure if they do food. Last Visited: December 8, 2009
Kinver - The Plough And Harrow DY7 6HD, Tel: 01384 872 659 Friendly unspoilt pub at the North end of the town. Juke box tending to be a bit loud. Big-screen TV not too intrusive. Worth visiting for the beer alone! Beer: Bathams Bitter and Mild (excellent - top-class condition) Food: Freshly-made cobs & snacks Last Visited: February 21, 2010
Kinver - The Vine DY7 6LJ, Tel: 01384 877 291 A cosy and comfortable pub next to the canal. Lots of outside picnic tables by the canal. Gas open fire. Beer: Kinver Edge (not on); Enville Ale; Holden's Golden Glow (Excellent). 8-3-11: Dropped in but they only had the Enville honey ale on tap (a beer I can't stand) Food: Looks and smells good. They have a "2 for £10" blackboard menu which had good traditional food. Last Visited: December 8, 2009, (March 8 2011)
Stourton - The Fox Inn DY7 5BL, Tel: 01384 872 614; website On the A458 Stourbridge to Bridgnorth road. Pub with quite an emphasis on food, but with good beer as well. Beer: Batham's Bitter; Enville Ginger Ale. - both Excellent Food: Quite a good selection in the £6 - £10 range. 8-12-09: I had beef, mushroom and stilton pie (flaky pastry), with chips & peas. It was huge and LOTS of meat. Very tasty. Excellent. Last Visited: December 8, 2009.