Round the corner from the Mailbox, this pretty single bar pub is the more contemporary-minded sister of the well-loved Wellington (below). Rebuilt in the 1910s with a beautiful blue and yellow tiled façade for the long-vanished Holders brewery, it was unloved and wrapped in Perspex cladding until rescued a few years back when a cleanup revealed its full glory. Inside is more modest but comfy enough.
Manager Chris Sherratt stocks up to 11 casks, including eight changing guests from forward thinking brewers like Cloudwater, Hopcraft, Magic Rock and Weird Beard, alongside six ‘craft kegs’ and 25 cans and bottles from the UK and overseas. The dazzling variety of modern brewing is amply demonstrated in regular tap takeovers and events like an exclusive wild yeast weekend planned for next year. Food is limited to weekday cobs or bring your own. Often cited among aficionados as the best beer pub in Birmingham.