String of Halesowen pubs recognised in Good Beer Guide

The guide, published annually by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), is the UK's best-selling beer and pub guide.

The publication lists 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK and is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nation.

Four popular watering holes in Halesowen are among 118 in the West Midlands featured in the guide which is collated by CAMRA volunteers who give up their time each year to select the best of the best across the UK.

The Halesowen pubs included in the guide are:

Crafty Pint H’ales’owen, Wassell Road

Micro pub The Crafty Pint (Image: Google) A micropub run by a local resident that expanded the bar into the adjacent building in 2022. Traditional ales, cider, wines and beverages are sold and coffee is generally available during the week, along with crusty cobs, pork pies and sausage rolls.

King Edward VII, Stourbridge Road

King Edward VII pub (Image: Google)

Friendly, comfortable pub next to Halesowen Town football ground, on the main road just out of the town centre, towards Stourbridge. A large front lounge and smaller rear lounge with sports TV are both served by a central bar selling up to eight real ales plus one cider. Bar snacks are served Wednesday to Sunday. This is one of several pubs close by that sell good quality real ale.

Roberto’s Bar, High Street

Roberto Ross in his Halesowen bar (Image: CAMRA)

Roberto’s Bar is owned by Roberto Ross who closed his Birmingham bar and opened this one in Halesowen late 2022.

Two rotating cask ales are always available, as well as a choice of several UK KeyKeg beers, Belgian speciality beers, and several real ciders.

Cask prices are usually lower than similar venues in the area. Opening hours may vary through winter. Keep an eye open for beers from Cult of Oak, Roberto’s brewery in Netherton.

Swan, Long Lane

The Swan pub on Long Lane (Image: Google)

Former local CAMRA Pub of the Year, this popular, comfortable pub was saved from the bulldozers in 2014 by local campaigners and Black Country Ales.

The central bar serves two main drinking areas.

Twelve ales and five real ciders are available, as well as a fine selection of gins.

Regular beer festivals are held.

The Good Beer Guide 2025 is on sale now and is available online from https://shop1.camra.org.uk/product/the-good-beer-guide-2025/

(Image: CAMRA)

The Good Beer Guide 2025 comes with a choice of two covers depicting Emmerdale’s Woolpack Inn and Coronation Street’s Rovers Return.

The guide is celebrating its 52nd edition with not one but two covers featuring two of the UK’s favourite locals: Coronation Street’s Rovers Return Inn, and Emmerdale’s Woolpack.

CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “The Rovers Return Inn and the Woolpack represent the UK’s love of their local, and to have them featured on the covers for this year’s guide is very exciting.

“CAMRA’s mission is to ensure support from the Government as well as tangible legislation to protect pubs in this country.”