Black Country Ales
Microbrewery
in
Dudley,
West Midlands,
England 🏴
Associated with 37 Venues
Established in 2004
Contact
69 Third Avenue, Pensnett Trading Estate, Kingswinford, Dudley, DY6 7FD, England
Description
The Black Country Ales Brewery has been established through a genuine love of traditional ales. We brew our outstanding selection of beers using only the finest ingredients to the highest possible standards. Brewing started on the site around 1834 by Edward Guest, taken over by the Bradleys in 1870, and moth balled after WWII. Much of the original equipment is still in use, and we’re very proud to still be holding on to our connection to the brewers of yesterday.
When we bought The Old Bull’s Head pub in 1999 it came with a boarded up brick building at the rear that was referred to by the estate agents as “a two storey outhouse”. Imagine our amazement after the purchase when we finally entered the building to find three magnificent wooden fermenting vessels and other brewing equipment going back years. We love running pubs but there had never been any plan to brew our own beer until this great find. It took a few years to set up and we have had a lot of mistakes to learn from too but in 2004 beer started flowing again from the Gornal brewery.
When we bought The Old Bull’s Head pub in 1999 it came with a boarded up brick building at the rear that was referred to by the estate agents as “a two storey outhouse”. Imagine our amazement after the purchase when we finally entered the building to find three magnificent wooden fermenting vessels and other brewing equipment going back years. We love running pubs but there had never been any plan to brew our own beer until this great find. It took a few years to set up and we have had a lot of mistakes to learn from too but in 2004 beer started flowing again from the Gornal brewery.
6.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Half pour (cask) at The Wellington. Light amber with small creamy head. Gentle malty aroma and taste, creamy feel. Chewy.
Tried
from Cask
on 18 May 2018
at 15:36
5.3/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 4
Texture 6
Overall 4
Rerate May 2018: not great, but not as bad as the initial review suggests. There's an odd minty note which doesn't belong in a mild. The weakest link in Black Country's stable. ------------ Original rating May 2013: Odd tasting dark mild. Sweetish chocolate aroma. Notes as diverse as pork scratchings to mouthwash and a couple of other things besides. Not to my taste, but we can’t like everything can we?
Tried
on 08 May 2018
at 23:00
5.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Cask @ Royal Oak, Shrewsbury. Copper-brown, clear, with a creamy head and a session texture. It has light malts and a light sweetness.
Tried
from Cask
on 25 Apr 2018
at 16:34
7.5/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 10
Overall 7
From cask at Imperial Tavern, Worcester, Worcestershire, with OGJ 02.01.18. Clear mahogany. Dense and persitent beige head and lacing. Aroma and taste of dark crystal malt, dark caramel, brittle and dark berries. Soft and silky mouthfeel.
Tried
from Cask
on 02 Jan 2018
at 13:25
7/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Cask at the Craven Arms, Birmingham on 28th December 2017. Crystal clear brown with lasting pale tan foam and no lacing. Rich, sweet toasty malt aroma. Roast caramel malt in-mouth and a fruity finish. A good body and smooth mouthfeel.
Tried
from Cask
on 28 Dec 2017
at 15:04
6.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
Tried at the Golden Eagle, Lincoln. Deep chestnut brown colour with an off white head. Aroma malty and light caramel. as is the taste. Medium body.
Tried
from Cask
on 13 Dec 2017
at 00:00
7/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
From cask at Wellington, Birmingham, 28.11.17. Dark orange amber. Beige head and lacing. Aroma of sweet malt and dates. Sweet taste of dates, roasted almonds, sweet malt and syrup. Low bitterness.
Tried
from Cask
on 28 Nov 2017
at 17:32
6.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 7
Texture 10
Overall 6.5
Handpull cask at the Salmon, Leicester. Gold, clear. It’s fresh, and there’s a ring of white head from the natural carbonation. It’s pretty malty and bready for a golden beer, with notes of agave syrup and light citrus hop. It tastes... really good. Sweet and syrupy with some gentle hop balance through to the finish. Apricot and caramel biscuit notes in the aftertaste. I’m having this in perfect condition, and it’s surprisingly tasty.
Tried
from Cask
on 11 Aug 2017
at 12:22
5/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5
Cask @ Stafford Beer & Cider Festival. Nice head with good duration. Color is golden. Aroma and taste are fruits, grass, flowers, malt and hops. Thin and watery with light bitter finish.
Tried
from Cask
on 28 Jul 2017
at 05:42
5/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5
Cask @ Stafford Beer & Cider Festival. Clear golden with a white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, fruity and a hint of sour. Flavor is medium sweet and light bitter. Sweet and light bitter finish with a light sour edge. 280717
Tried
from Cask
on 28 Jul 2017
at 05:40