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The Black Eagle,
By Phil Knight
I would like to introduce to you, one of my favourite
"watering holes" in Birmingham, The Black Eagle. This is a gem of a pub, and a
very loyal supporter of CAMRA, and its beliefs, and it shows, it has won CAMRA's
Birmingham Pub of the Year four times, in 1992, 1995, 1999 and 2002.
The pub was built in 1895 and still retains many of its original features,
particularly the Minton tiles on the bar. Birmingham nearly lost this wonderful
pub when it was closed down in 1988, but thankfully saved when three partners
(who were all actors at the time) bought the pub and brought it back to life.
Over the years it changed from the three owners to two, and
now just one, Tony Lewis, and you are always assured of a warm welcome from the
immaculately dressed Tony, whose imagination and flair makes this a pub you just
have to visit. The pub, from the beginning served cask conditioned beers, always Ansells Mild
and Bitter plus Marstons Pedigree but also used to sell Holts Entire as a
permanent guest ale before Holts breweries were closed down (although the beer
is enjoying great success at present, being brewed now at Ma Pardoes).
When they could not get entire anymore they scratched their heads to try and
find an equally enjoyable beer, and after many tasting sessions, came up with
Timothy Taylors Landlord, and what a choice, it was a rare drink in Birmingham
at that time and has proved so popular it is now a permanent beer.
The Black Eagle was a great supporter of the Beowulf
brewery when it started brewing in Birmingham and had its beers on, almost all
the time in the beginning and is still very loyal to Beowulf, their beers still
guest on a regular basis, although the brewery has now moved out of Birmingham.
The Black Eagle now has two ever changing guest beers (it used to be just one),
besides their standard range, so you never know what will be on when you visit.
The pub also has a superb restaurant offering marvelous
home cooked food (which can also be taken as bar meals), and when seated in the
restaurant you are in a lovely relaxed atmosphere enjoying wonderful food with
great beers or wine from a good quality wine list, with everything at reasonable
prices. The Sunday roasts are superb, you must treat yourself to one someday,
there are no chips served on a Sunday! In the summer, have your drink and food
in the garden, an oasis in the heart of Birmingham. Marvel at the plants and
layout of the gardens, this is where the annual beer festival is held. This
years date is Friday 9th and Saturday 10th July. Put this date in your diary.
The pub has now become renowned for the Christmas decorations, a different theme
each year. It is hard to describe the full effects of this magnificent show, the
only way to appreciate the unbelievable display is to visit, you will not be
disappointed.
The Black Eagle also supports local charities,
the Birmingham primary school football league, and this years charity was the
Handsworth Home Treatment. Money is raised by selling tickets for the new years
eve party and also raffles along with donations throughout the year.
They hold fortnightly quizzes on Monday evenings (check pub for details),
and for a small donation you can enter the quiz and enjoy the supper that is
provided.
To all the people who support and have supported the Black Eagle, thank you for
helping make this pub such a success which now enables many people to enjoy the
large range of cask ales and food on offer and to anyone who has not yet visited
before, treat yourself to a visit, you will not be disappointed.
You can find the Black Eagle near the Benson Road/ Soho Road Metro station and
also the numbers 74 and 79 buses pass close by. It is also close to the Soho
House museum. The Black Eagle has just won the
Birmingham Evening Mail 2004 best traditional pub award.
The Black Eagle, 16 Factory Road, Hockley,
Birmingham, B18 5JU0 Tel: 121-523-4008
Opening hours:
Mon-Thur 11.30-3.00, 5.30-11pm.
Fri 11.30-11pm,
Sat 12-3pm, 7-11pm.
Sun 12-3pm, (closed Sunday evenings.)
Article by Phil Knight
© 2004,
Photos by Phil Glover.
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