The Shakespeare, Birmingham

I liked this pub before it became a Nicholson's and I still like it, despite looking just like any other Nicholson's inside - probably because it was less than half full so I had plenty of space to myself yesterday lunchtime. I also noted that, unlike its Birmingham sister pub of the same name, it sells crisps and pork scratchings (albeit the latter items are stored in a large jar behind the counter) - surely this are better snacks to go with a pint than olives! I therefore prefer it to the Lower Temple Street pub. I have experienced Danny's death defying ring road chicken run to get there on an earlier visit but I have sinced discovered it's much easier to walk from the St Phillip's Cathedral / Wellington pub area down Newhall Street (off Colmore Row) as far as Great Charles Street Queensway, crossing over Great Charles Street and then turning left - it's then just around the corner on the right, just after Civic House. Mighty fine selection of ales were Oakleaf Brewing Hole Hearted, Hadley's Blonde, Sharp's Doom Bar, Purity UBU, Marston's Pedigree and and and and 2009 Champion Beer of Britain Rudgate Ruby MILD. I'll go back, no doubt.