9th April - Birmingham and Metro - Cheers DL

I like the metro from Birmingham to Wolverhampton but as its a Friday night must make a mental note not to be too late back in Birmingham or risk missing the last train home.

Will we or won't we do this trip was the main conversation in the run up to this Friday night outing given the train strike that had been threatened but which never materialised. DL had organised the route and as this was probably his last Friday night outing then I was glad I was able to make it.

Mid afternoon / early eavening therefore finds me alighting in Birmingham and en route to the meeting place. Slightly early so took the opportunity to pop into Edmunds for Wye Valley Golden Ale.

Onto the Old Contempables and met to others whilst sampling Whitehorse Saracen IPA.

Time for the tram and we alight at Dartmouth Street for the ten minute stroll to the Old Crown in Sandwell Road near West Bromwich. We could pop into the New Hop pole (or is it the Old Hop Pole?) en route was commented but alas no it was shut so onwards to the Old... "wait a minute, why are our speedier walkers heading back that way?..." Crown which was similarly boarded up.

So back round the corner and the Wheatsheaf at least is open. I like this pub and must visit again in the future as the food looks to be of very good value. Holden's Mild was available and sampled.

Further up the road towards Carters Green and we decide to pop into the Old Hop Pole (which was open) for Wye Valley HPA. Yam Yam Elvis was advertised as appearing shortly - hmmm was JF's comment but it prompted the evening topic of what makes one a yam yam? - actually he's not bad - see videos e.g. here from Youtube.

Onward to Bilston and the excellent Trumpet and Holden's Mild again but this time from a hand pull and some excellent Jazz.

We then decided to head back to the Black Eagle at Hockley but not before some of the party had been tempted by the Chippy (and I have to say they were pretty good examples of how spuds should be cooked.)

Back to Hockley road and the Black Eagle (another excellent pub - the garden's lovely and perhaps out of place.) Alas I didn;t note down the beer here. Time to go, so "cheers DL" for an excellent trip and "thanks for all the fish." Crikey - is that the time!!!!!!