Jewellers Arms

I was lucky enough to be sent to the Jewellers Arms Hockley Street for Brumhour last night. My review for that will be on Brumhour very soon. (I will post a link when it’s available )

Because I had such a nice time at the Jewellers Arms, I thought I share my experience. Located in the heart of Birmingham’s famous jewellery quarter and just a very short walk from the train station this charming, traditional British pub is everything a good pub should be. Cosy with a lovely friendly atmosphere and lively enough without being frantic, it’s easy to settle into this kind of pub for a few hours.

As some of you may know, I was away last week and even though I was only in Wales, it’s too far from Birmingham to be included on my pages, but I did enjoy discovering pubs just like this in wales too. Open fires, a warm welcome, good ales, friendly staff and locals, all make for the great British pub.

I also ‘lost’ my camera last week, so sadly, until I can replace it, my photos are from my phone. I do apologise.

Mr. Red had a pint of Pig on the wall, a dark ruby ale from Black Country Ales, which he really enjoyed. I’m less of a fan of stouts and dark ales. I love a nice blonde beer, not to be confused with a lager, which I have known some people to do. Lager is much gassier, so much fizz, it’s impossible for me to drink. But a blonde ale is lovely. I started with a half pint of Half Sovereign. Much like a barley wine, this fruity, floral and fragrant ale is light and flavoursome. I think the thing with beers and ales is finding the right one for you, there are so many to choose from, from dark stouts to Indian pale ale and every shade in between. I had planned to try a variety of different ales in half pints, but the Half Sovereign was so nice, I committed to it for the rest of the evening. That said, The Jewellers Arms do ‘three for three’ where you can have three one third pints of three different beers to try.

The Jewellers Arms is included in this years Good Beer Guide, so you can be be assured of great beers and ales.

We were even bought out a tray of sandwiches, again, such a lovely “traditional British pub” thing and something I’ve not seen for a long time.

With an assortment of meats, and cheese for the non meat eaters as well as some savoury eggs and pork pie which went perfectly with our beer.

I think the thing to remember about a really good British ale is they are not supposed to be served too cold, just below room temperature so as all the flavour can be fully appreciated is perfect. My Half Sovereign was perfect and very tasty, any colder and all I would be able to taste is ‘cold’, much like a strawberry or a tomato, some food and drinks are better for being served at the correct temperature. So no more talk about “warm British beers” please.

I loved the cheese night, it seems that regulars knew how Cheese Night works, but it was a new and wonderful concept to me. People appeared to bring a cheese to be laid out on the tasting table, I love cheese, had I known I have a really nice Welsh Nettle cheese I could have contributed, and then everyone enjoys trying new cheese.

I do realise I am very lucky to live in such a fantastically well served area of the world and so I raise my glass and declare “long live the great British boozer”. Wine bars, cocktails bars and gin joints, are all very well and good, we even had a fabulous whiskey bar in Birmingham, but there really is nothing else to compare to a proper pub.

So if you’re looking for a little very, traditional pub, with no tv or music blasting, that offers good food and even better ales, you won’t be disappointed by The Jewellers Arms, apparently the mid week roast is worth checking out too, but I missed that. Maybe next time.