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Detail Pages
The Wellington, Birmingham
Birmingham
B2 5SN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Wellington
ORIGINAL REVIEW July 2011
My first and most certainly not my last visit to this ale emporium .Over two nights the ale quality of all pints downed was top drawer and the variety of styles and strenghts was admirable.The interior was more interesting than I expected ,with a front section of traditional furniture opposite which is a wonderful trompe l'oeil in the form of a full length mirror set in a door frame which tempts you to visit this "other " section.The rear of the building is dominated by the long bar but there is a dart board at the far end ,where a game of arrows could prove fatal to by standers at peak times.The guv'nor is quite happy for drinkers to order into the pub takeaway meals and consume them while drinking if you get peckish late in the session.
My top pick among the pubs I have sampled in the City Centre and a must visit.
April 2014
The trompe l'oeil full length mirror has now gone and been replaced by stairs to the first floor bar which is well worth visiting.The output from the 7 handpumps up there isn't included on the screens downstairs ,although several ales feature at both bars.On my trip there was an additional Titanic Plum Porter up here making the journey worthwhile.There is an outside terrace partially covered by a plastic awning and there is lift access to the first floor for the less mobile.A pleasant addition to this excellent pub where ale quality was as good as ever.
UPDATE
After my last two visits,I'm afraid the crown has slipped a lot and a downgrade is in order.The interior is unchanged,maybe a little worn but the number of customers has dwindled and now seems just a loyal band of CAMRA types.The pub cat wanders around but isn't going to get trampled by any crowd.
The problem ? It appears the guest ale selection has been dumbed down ,maybe in an attempt to make the house Black Country ales more attractive,which they are not.The same thing happened at their Craven Arms many moons ago sadly.On a recent visit the guest ales were uninspiring,several from brewers with no known track record for excellence,with most ABV's well below 4.5%,even the Oakham Citra was well below it's best,NBSS 2.5.This is no longer a must visit,it just has a lot of fairly mundane real ale,The Colmore has taken the crown of the best ale house in central Brum IMHO.Such a shame.
On 23rd May 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2758 recommendations about 2758 pubs]
Quinno _ left this review about The Wellington
The original Brum cask factory and still brilliant. Friendly place with a lovely quiet atmosphere, just chatter and hubbub. Finally made it to the upstairs area as well. Sampled Titanic/Thornbridge collab Britannic (NBSS 3.5) and Grasshopper Brewery Devil's Horse (3); the downside of so many pumps is that you’re unlikely to get a thoroughly bob-on pint but in terms of sampling the unusual this is one of the best bets in the country.
July 2019
A long overdue revisit. The same as ever, of course. Just a quick half, the Neepsend Kedros was a poorly brewed beer served as well as could be managed (NBSS 3.5). Noted the glass was also in good shape (see below!). A good crowd in and the whole operation was ticking over happily. A destination beer pub. Rated 9
November 2014
A brief revisit the other day. The Wellington now comes with added upstairs bar, additional room and rooftop decked terrace! My Hopcraft Day of the Lords was in good form. As noted previously, this place is still sparkler-proof which, having spent a day drinking a lot of dubious flat beer in a number of sparklerised Brum pubs, is a blessing. A quibble point is that the glass I had was dishwasher-pitted. They need to keep paying attention to the little things. Still a great ale outlet though. Rated 8
November 2012
A pub that only opened in December 2004, this has come a long way and is now known as a destination real ale venue. 16 handpumps greet you on entering; Oakham Citra is a standard, as are three Black Country ales and a Purity. There are also two real ciders and perry, plus some continental lagers - no Guinness or cooking lagers are served. A large screen above the bar tells you what beers are listed by pump number and which also give an A-E grading on how light or dark the beer is, alongside its price and strength. Beers all in good form, served without sparklers (a little unusual for the Midlands) but these will be fitted if requested. There’s plenty of CAMRA-type stuff in the pub such as local branch mags from far and wide and leaflets for beer festivals. The interior is fairly functional and is open-plan, with flock wallpaper and a cream and brown colour scheme. A quality selling point is that you are positively encouraged to bring your own food – the pub will supply cutlery, crockery and condiments! There’s no piped music and a dart board is available though there’s too much clutter nearby to see it used regularly for an idle drop-by game. The pub can get ludicrously busy in the evenings. Handy hint – exit via the rear and you practically step straight into the Old Joint Stock! A great place if you like your ales but the average punter may wonder what all the fuss is about. Luckily, I like my ales… Rated 8
On 24th April 2024
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5220 recommendations about 5203 pubs]
Rob Hunter left this review about The Wellington
Visited earlier this month, very busy around 4pm on a weekday afternoon. Too many hand pulls to count from my vantage point (I just about managed to get a seat) but it looked like some may have been dedicated to ciders.
It didn't feel that friendly in terms of service, which was also an issue on my previous visit four years prior. My Froth Blowers Piffle Snonker was OK, if unexciting.
This is an old traditional pub and has already been well described (and does not appear to have changed since) but the unfriendly service means I will probably give this one a miss when I am next in Birmingham. I was glad to sup up and leave.
On 21st August 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 761 recommendations about 606 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about The Wellington
This traditional pub was supposed to be the highlight of a brief stop in Birmingham, but it was too busy to get a seat! Still, it just felt ‘right’. Some call the decor dated but there are very few traditional pubs in the centre of Birmingham, which is mostly dominated by corporate soulless bars. So the old school carpet and banquette seating felt like a breath of fresh air. great range of ales as expected and I enjoyed my pint of 4T’s stout. I’ll be back for sure and my rating may be upped to a 10.
On 6th February 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1071 recommendations about 1036 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Wellington
Top-of-the-range cask beer pub famed for its excellent range from the 16 handpumps in the main bar, with the beers changing so frequently they are listed on large display screens rather than being chalked up on a board. Also the only pub where I've heard orders along the lines of "two pints of number six and a half of number four"... Generally offers three or so offerings from owners Black Country Ales, but - totally spoilt for choice - I usually take the impossible-to-justify option of selecting the one with the pump clip that first catches my eye (most recently the Piffle Snonker from Froth Blowers, £3.75). The 17th real ale, Titanic Plum Porter, is generally available in the upstairs bar. Understandably very busy at peak times, but you can usually find a spot to sit somewhere. Nothing very remarkable about the building itself, but a 'must visit' for beer lovers making a trip to Birmingham.
On 20th October 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8159 recommendations about 8159 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Wellington
Quite a dated interior with carpeting, but 15 ales displayed on a TV screen, all numbered to avoid confusion.
I didn't actually have a drink as it was a bit early and I'd done much vital research the night before. One point of note, is that this was easily the most expensive pub of my 10-hole crawl, with prices that are the same as - in one instance a fair bit higher - than destination London ale houses.
In close proximity to the station, this is a must-visit when in town.
On 19th October 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2017 recommendations about 1983 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Wellington
An institution of a pub and one not to be missed. On this visit the 18 handpumps were pretty well all in use, as ever with a good range of ales with a concentration on local brews, plus a couple of ciders. I don't quite approve of ordering by numbers, but I suppose it saves confusion.
On 16th October 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3353 recommendations about 3290 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Wellington
After another visit to the Colmore (which I reviewed earlier this year), we inevitably ended up mid afternoon in the Wellington.
As always on a Saturday, it was busy. Service was quick however and we did manage to secure a table in the ground floor room. There is also an upstairs roof terrace where we have sat previously.
The interior is fairly unadorned. It's a typical Black Country Ales house which specialises in beer, cider and good conversation.
Black Country Ales BFG, Pig on the Wall & Fireside are regular ales, alongside Purity Mad Goose & Wye Valley HPA. Guests were Froth Blowers Piffle Snonker, Castle Rock Elsie Mo, Parkway Mumbo Jumbo, Salopian Kashmir, Sharp's Atlantic, Oakham Obsidian Order & Fixed Wheel Blackheath Stout. Ciders were Hogan's Hazy Ray's & Lilley's Bee Sting Perry & Mango Cider.
Alongside the Post Office Vaults, this is still one of the 2 stand out pubs for real ale and cider drinkers in the city centre of Birmingham.
On 29th September 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2505 recommendations about 2504 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Wellington
Visited 13.3.21, 15.4.21, 17.4.21 and 20.4.21. Had to go upstairs to the roof garden but there is a lift if needed.There is a one way system for covid. Up the stairs at the front to enter the garden, and down the fire escape at the rear to leave. All covid regs apply. You pass through the upstairs bar to reach the garden, so can see the beers available in passing. Orders taken at your table and payment by card or cash. Covered area and outside area with seating and brollies. All beer on all days in tip top condition. 7 beers available.
On 24th April 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Wellington
Called in again yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon and found it much busier than on my previous visit so I had no choice other than to prop up the bar. The young barman seemed particularly disinterested when serving me and rudely (in my opinion) dropped my change into my hand.
I still like the pub and its beer selection is very impressive, but the service was much better on my first visit.
My Blackheath Stout by Fixed Wheel was rather nice and set me back £2.10 or so for a half. They also had a black IPA by Sadlers (if I am remembering correctly) so was good to see a couple of dark beers available.
On 20th June 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 761 recommendations about 606 pubs]