Shhh – it’s Shustoke

With my party hat removed after a pint of Pedigree in Staffordshire it was time for a quickfire ten minute pint in Shustoke.

That’s right, the good old days of “a swift one” and I mean a swift one as I was on an errand for Mrs BB with time constraints!

(oh yes…)

 

However, with my summer tour of the M42 not yet complete, there was still time to visit another hidden gem in the hinterlands of Coleshill.

Recent stops at The Green Man in Coleshill, The Railway in Whitacre Heath and The White Swan in Kingsbury saw proper pubbery of the highest order in this often overlooked area for pub tickers.

Shustoke is a small village just outside Coleshill heading towards Coventry with less than 600 potential punters.

The Griffin Inn has been a longstanding entrant in the GBG so obviously I decided to choose the other pub in the village.

However, 573 – The Plough B46 2AN is none too shabby and I know it is a renowned Bass house.

200 years old and situated nicely on the village green, this is one of these multi-roomed classics with low ceilings and plenty of punters inside and out for a midweek early evening.

In true Birmingham overspill fashion there were a couple of likely lads outside who I wanted to confirm were sitting by the entrance post covid era and they assured me I could use the door for a tenner!

(one for the Maltmeister)

There were lots of reserved table signs around the boozer with a good crowd outside in the back beer garden and dotted around various rooms.

Oh yes, the Bass.  What can I say?  I’m not making this up but it was absolute nectar and I can confirm the ten minute deadline was no hardship.

It was the best pint of Bass I’ve had since The Plough Inn…maybe all pubs named The Plough have to sell absolute nectar Bass in the Midlands?

(Bass is a fish – one for the gag police)

I don’t often get the fish in a tank to enjoy whilst I’m necking Bass and the last thing for me to do was to check out the ‘Plough Pod’

Apparently The Pod has a docking station for music (although no Toto is allowed Mudgie) with built in heaters and can accommodate up to 12 people…next BPF Big Day Out?

(The Pod)

A minimum £100 spend might put the kibosh on that idea although it’s a new one on me and doesn’t detract from a cracking old boozer that sells Bass.

If you’ve not yet visited J9/J10 of the M42 (Coleshill and surrounding areas) then you are missing out as there are some corking pubs selling great beer.

Year 4 of blogging starts today – and it’s a great start!  What a time to be alive