The Sow, Hill Top, West Bromwich

Official site of The Sow - sowbarandgrill.co.uk

Official site of The Sow - sowbarandgrill.co.uk

Traditional-looking pub, set slightly above the road out front, but given an unexpectedly light semi-modern alehouse-style makeover inside. So it looks OK, but where are the customers at 20:30 on a Wednesday evening (there being no others when I was there, and just two very bored 'team members' eating snacks)? It also has a kitchen and claims to be a live music venue, so perhaps I just caught it on a bad day as I has reasonable reviews elsewhere? Anyway, it had three real ales, including The Hoard from Backyard and Davenport's Gold (£3.00, but very much 'end of the barrel'), and a cider on four of the five handpumps when I visited.

I was travelling on the metro and found this bar by clicking on ratebeer at the various stations and thought it sounded interesting so went back to Black Lake stop and the pub was a short walk up the hill. Very quiet but helpful bar staff. There was Doom Bar plus 2 beers from the Two Crafty Brewers brewery. I enjoyed my Golden Beast beer. Decor very basic with the brewery stencils around the walls and wooden floor. Large bar area and outside seating at the rear. Believed the brewery to be a cuckoo brewed at Sadlers, but have since found it listed as a brewery in the Imbiber.