The impressive black eagle above the pub's main entrance, February 2002

This popular, friendly pub lies a couple of hundred yards down the road from Benson Road Metro Station on the Wolverhampton to Birmingham Midland Metro line. The impressive building stands in marked contrast to the heavily fortified metal gates opposite with spirals of razor wire adorning the top. The pub was rebuilt towards the end of the Victorian era and to this day retains many features from this time such as the Minton tiles. The bar areas has a very comfortable homely feel with lots of comfortable seating and locals to chat to.

The pub offers an excellent range of ever-changing guest ales from small breweries along with 4 or 5 permanent brews. They'll quite often have a beer brewed by Birmingham's Beowulf brewery available. The Timothy Taylor Landlord (abv 4.3%), one of their permanent beers, was on top form during my most recent visit. It's a wonderfully hoppy, fruity beer and has won numerous national awards. The pub itself has won the CAMRA Birmingham Pub of the Year on several occasions and tasting their beer I can see why...

For those of you that come in search of food, they offer a range of good value foodfrom roast chicken to home-made steak pie. They also have a good selection of daily specials, all of which you can eat in the bar or in the restaurant to the rear.

Do note that the pub is closed on Sunday evenings.

There's definitely a very homely feel about the pub, February 2002