Close to Digbeth coach station, this friendly Irish-owned pub has been a beer lover’s haven since at least the 1990s, championing microbrewed cask beers alongside Belgian and German imports. Six handpumps favour locals like Green Duck as well as Downton and Liverpool Organic, and there’s always a mild on offer.
Craft kegs might be from Sacre Brew or Thornbridge besides Belgian offerings. 16 or so Belgian and Dutch bottles stretch to aged magnums of sublime St Bernardus Abt (£35 each) alongside La Trappe, De Molen and Chimay, with a range of Sam Smith’s bottles too. There’s no food other than pork pies and crisps.
The Grade II-listed terracotta early 20th century building is a recognised heritage pub for its tiled floors, etched panels, bell pushes, original art nouveau glass and TARDIS-like warren of separate rooms: I favour the little saloon bar with its 1970s coach network map.