Walsall CAMRA Branch -
Pub of the Year Awards 2004

Following the Walsall Branch AGM in October a judging panel visited the finalists in both the Staffordshire and West Midlands county areas through November and December, and the winners were announced at the January meeting. 

Staffordshire

There is no change in the Staffordshire part of the Walsall Branch area as the 2004 Pub of the Year Award has been retained against stiff opposition by Glen and Carol Lomas of the Railway in Norton Green Lane, Norton Canes. Their three regular beers are Highgate Mild and Banks’s Mild and Bitter, and are well supported by three regularly changing guests in this welcoming community based local. A fully enclosed garden with children’s play area is a welcome feature for families.

The Queens Arms in Hill Street, Hednesford, near the football ground, is Highly Commended in the competition. Don’t be put off by the lack of handpulls in this cosy 2-roomed local, as the Highgate Mild, Worthington Bitter and Draught Bass, are served by electric pump.

Commended in this year’s awards is the Woodman in Brook Road, Cheslyn Hay. However, licensee Dave Orton is leaving the pub after 25 years at the helm. We wish him well for his retirement to the Canary Islands, and hope that the new licensee carries on his good work.

West Midlands

The Boat in Bentley Road South, Darlaston Green, has been crowned as the best pub in the West Midlands part of the Walsall Branch area for 2004.

The pub, an Avebury Taverns Ale House, boasts a bank of eight handpulls serving Greene King IPA and Banks’s Mild as regular beers, plus guests from other regional and micro breweries including Beowulf, Highgate and Titanic. Licensee Keith Braithewaite was delighted to add this coveted title to his other awards. The Boat offers a warm welcome and convivial atmosphere in which to drink excellent quality real ale. It also has a canalside drinking area in which Keith hosts an annual beer festival in June.

Highly Commended in the competition is the Royal (Middle) Oak in Chester Road North, Brownhills. This 1930’s art deco pub offers Ansells Mild, Tetley Bitter, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Taylor’s Landlord and one guest changing beer.

The Falcon in Gomer Street West, Willenhall, another 1930’s pub, is also Commended. Up to nine cask beers are usually available, including Olde Swan Dark Mild from Netherton and Oakham JHB plus guest beers, usually including a stout or a porter.

Click to see a previous article for the TURF TAVERN