The Boiler Room, Birmingham

I kind of thought the craft revolution had run its course, so this seems a brave attempt. Keg only - about a dozen - with some unusual breweries represented. But the prices! £8 for a 5% Cloudwater. I simply can't afford that. Standard cocktail bar vibe. Music at a low level. Plenty of competition in the area, including the established purecraft over the road and the far superior and keener priced Colmore around the corner. Can it survive? Time will tell.

Due to reopen as The Boiler Room in June.

Visited back in June one weekday evening. No cask but many beers on keg to choose from, both their own and guests. Just as I had ordered at the bar and received my drinks, the lights went down and it became apparent I'd walked into a comedy night, so I stealthily made my way to a table and hoped I wouldn't get picked on! I later discovered the comedy event was run by Egans Comedy Club. It was pretty good in all fairness, just a little unexpected. The beers were good too so overall this was a great experience, and I'd be happy to go and pay another visit.

Sommar beer bar with a quirky interior.

Craft beer bar just opposite Purecraft which serves as a city centre outlet for the local Sommar Brewing Company. The single room has a number of tables and various soft furnishings creating a comfortable drinking environment. The bar is at the rear right-hand corner. Early on a Sunday evening, there were very few customers around, but we decided to stop for some rather expensive drinks. The beer list is updated on Untappd, but on our visit, it comprised Glasshouse Deep Seeded, Turning Point The Zing That Should Not Be & Time of the Season, Sommar Thanks We Were On A Break, Easy Like Sunday Morning, Raspberry POP, That's Why They Call It The Blues, Flake With That Bab (2022), Waves, Pacific, Scoops & Sup, Pastore Paloma Del Pastore, Arbor Mosaic, Cloudwater Fresh & Gravity Well Special Circumstances. There is also a good bottle and can selection kept in a fridge to the side of the bar. The barman was fairly friendly and was happy to offer tasters of the various beers. I tried Tanks, which was a dry-hopped stout. It was ok, but I wouldn't rush back for another one.

Ok city centre bar, feels a little uncomfortable for some reason, but its early days. Good range of keg beers but quite pricey. But a good addition to the centre drinking scene

The latest Sommar Brewery tap, newly opened in the city centre beside Victoria Square. Not a large bar, and the rectangular room was full on a Monday night for its comedy club. In the gloom, it was difficult to count the craft keg taps on the bar-back, but the display screen suggests 20. Apart from a few guests, the majority of the 'house' beers in a range of interesting styles were on the strong side, e.g. my Aged imperial stout (£4.95, schooner, and absolutely packed full of flavour).