Birmingham CAMRA names top three pubs of the year: here are their locations

Birmingham Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have announced their top three pubs of the year and the one in the first position is a bar and bottle shop.

The Pub of the Year 2023 is a micropub off Kings Heath High Street called Hop & Scotch. Birmingham CAMRA said the pub on Institute Road “combines good beer, cider and perry with a good community spirit.”

The pub responded on social media saying: “Big thanks to all our customers suppliers & friends for making Hop & Scotch what it is!”

It is an independent bar and bottle shop serving quality real ales and craft beers and offer a rotating selection of cask, keg, and bottles from some of the best beer and cider producers around. They also have a select range of gin, scotch, world whisky, and wine.

In second place in 2023’s Birmingham CAMRA branch Pub of the Year is The Craven Arms on Upper Gough Street in Birmingham City Centre. The consumer organisation said The Craven Arms is a “worthy runner-up”.

“This Black Country Ales pub is a city centre favourite and hosts lots of community groups thanks to it’s cracking beer and friendly staff.”

Situated on the corner of Blucher Street and Gough Street it retains much of its former splendour. The Craven Arms has maintained its tiled mouldings, blue faience facade and the glazed wall mouldings which remain as rare advertisements for Holder’s Ales. Holder’s Brewery was based in Aston and was purchased by M&B in 1919, according to Birmingham City Council.

And, finally, in the third place is The Bull on Price Street in the Gun Quarter. The organisation said that pub reopened just a few years ago but this “back street boozer” is “full of heart”.

This is a historic pub and used to be called The Bull’s Head. It is located in a Grade II listed building and was established in 1800.