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Memory Lane
My uncle and aunt, Jack and Maud Wade had the Anchor Inn in the 1950s. I used to
visit the pub every week and remember seeing the sheep being driven down the
road to the abattoir. I must come and visit the pub as I have so many happy
memories of the place.
Su Pinner 15-06-2011
Genes Reunited
This is a long shot as I don't know if you will remember myself and my brother
Robert Monahan. My name is Mary Monahan, we used to drink in your pub when we
lived in Birmingham over fifteen years ago. I am actually looking for a person
named Alan Lowe he was a regular in the Anchor and hopefully still is. To cut a
long story short Alan's daughter Taylor is looking for him. We lost contact when
I moved address and also lost Alan's address. I am so sorry for bothering you
but if he is still a regular would you please let me know as his daughter really
wants to get in touch.
Mary Monahan 15-06-2010
World Cup Fixture at The Anchor
A few us are doing a real ale pub crawl in Birmingham on Saturday 12th. Can you
tell me if the Anchor will be open as usual that evening? As I'm sure you know
it's England's first game in the World Cup and I know a lot of pubs are
"ticket-only" to keep numbers manageable. Can you also tell me if food will be
available?
Richard Cooper 04-06-2010
► Hi Richard, at the moment there are no restrictions on number. Usually we do
food up till 6pm. That will still be the case depending on how busy we get for
the game. We welcome all well behaved football fans, England or otherwise. We
should also have some exclusive beers on for the game too.
Gerry 05-06-2010
Pub Games at The Anchor
Just a heads-up on my request by phone today. I hope to have 10 to 20 people for
what we call a Pub-Meet, where we play a lot of table-top board games [and
probably standard pub-games, as well, this time]. We'd have some folk around on
the Friday evening, but the main thing would be more or less all day on the
Saturday and up to lunch-time on the Sunday. I'd like the space for up to 5
four-person groups to sit and play on small tables in one room or bar-area,
hopefully without disrupting your regulars too much. The tables pictured on your
website would be fine for us. Your colleague said on the phone that you had a
backroom that might do the job, for which we might be able to pay you a hire
fee.
Bill Mayling ~ Cheltenham 30-04-2010
Family Tree near The Anchor
I am researching my family history and have found that my great-great
grandfather Charles Wootton, lived at 62 Rea Street according to his father's
death certificate and White's Trade Directory of 1850. He was a nail
manufacturer. I would really appreciate an electronic copy of the old map on
your web site if that would be possible. I am hoping to visit Birmingham this
summer to do some further research and hopefully call in for a drink. Many
thanks for all the information on your great web site.
Sandra Jenkinson 24-04-2010
► Hi Sandra, thanks for your kind comments, but all the thanks should be addressed
to Kieron who manages/maintains our site. All the history and maps were done
when he researched the pub history a few years ago. We have a second address of
52 Rea Street, so we are probably not far from where that house was standing.
Hope to see you in the summer.
Gerry 28-04-2010
Saint George's Celebrations at The Anchor
This Friday we will be celebrating St George's Day in a number of ways. Our bar
manager, also called George - George Morrisson, recently did a parachute jump to
raise money for the St Mary's Hospice. He has managed to raise £550 so far. We
are hoping to raise this figure to about £1000. On the day we will have
specially commissioned ales, named after our George and celebrating St George.
When customers buy a pint of one of these ales - we will contribute to his fund
. We hope to have Morris Dancing and we will be playing traditional English
music/music from the Proms/famous film themes. All whilst wearing our red roses
and some staff dressing up as Morris men/women. Happy St George's Day!
Gerry 22-04-2010
► Update to above: We have reached our £1,000 figure, presenting the cheque on
Wednesday afternoon. Also, George gets another beer named after him
.............. White Rose...George Jumps for Joy (& St Mary's Hospice)
Gerry 22-04-2010
Blues Belfast Crew on Tour at The Anchor
Bore Da. One for your gallery, Gerry. Blues Belfast Crew on tour plus some local
reprobates on Easter Day 2010. Motley Crew or what??
Roy Kyffin 18-04-2010
Free Range Hens at The Anchor
I know this will probably sound strange, but we like to clear it with pubs prior
to our visit... My sister is having her Hen day/night on the 20th March 2010. We
were hoping that it would be ok for us to come to your pub at about 5.30pm.
Nothing strange there, but when you add there are 21 of us all dressed up as
Spice Girls arriving on a London Red bus, it's a little more different. We are
doing it for Birmingham Children's Hospital Red Balloon Appeal! Some pubs are
tucking us away in their own areas - but we are a happy bunch, so just grateful
to get served. As I am a real ale drinker, it will be my favourite stop, having
sampled ales at the Anchor before!! Please can you let me know if there will be
a problem with our visit!
Julia Hughes 09-03-2010
► Hi Julia, thanks for giving us the heads up on that. That should be fine. Hope
we can convert some of the other hens to try a real ale or real cider? We will
give you free range of the place!!! and hope there are not too many Scary
Spices!
Gerry 09-03-2010
Price Freeze and Pub Award for the Anchor
Above is a photograph of Gerry, colleagues, regulars and CAMRA members with
their Bronze Award presented for Birmingham Pub of the Year 2009-10 by Mark
Delaney, Chairman of Birmingham CAMRA, on Tuesday 19th January. Despite the
increase in VAT and suppliers rises we at the Anchor are currently holding down
our prices.
Gaynor Keane 25-01-2010
2010 Dates at The Anchor
Is there any chance that you might list upcoming beer festivals for this year,
e.g. around Saint Patrick's Day. Not a full blown beer list but just the
proposed dates and perhaps a theme. I will be visiting Birmingham several times
this year and I may be able to fit some of them around a beer fest although I do
always try to visit you anyway.
Dave 24-02-2010
► Thanks for the interest in our festivals. These are the current planned ones for
this year, but I think the website shows a history of past events - the dates
are normally about the same. St Patrick's Festival Thurs 11th Mar - Weds 17th
March Special Beers Imported from Ireland to include one-off dry hopped versions
from Messrs Maguire / White Gypsy / Franciscan Well. Egg-stra Special Easter
Ales Thurs 1st April - Tues 6th April A selection of unusual Easter Beers to
include a few just for the Anchor one- offs. Major May Festival Thurs 27th -
Weds 2nd June 60 + ales - New Breweries / New Beers and some Old Favourites
World Cup Winners Thurs 10th - Tues 15th June A selection of winners To launch
the great competition!
Gerry 24-02-2010
Lock up your wives - the Vikings will return!
Thanks for a great Saturday night. George is our man! We'll be back, hopefully
you are gonna let us in :-) Regards from a lot of drunk Norwegians.
Lasse Aaseng - Norway 12-02-2010
A happy snapper visits The Anchor
Hi Gerry, I pop in to the Anchor regularly and a couple of Sundays ago on my way
back from a weekend in London, I had my camera with me, having taken pictures of
several of my favourite London pubs while there. Kate and Rob kindly posed for
me and I attach the result. Great pub; great beer; great people! Many thanks
Bob Fenley 11-08-2009
Car Parking at The Anchor
Can you tell me if you have a car park for the pub, or where is the
nearest/easiest place to park? Thanks
Anne Hickmott 19-10-2009
► On street parking is OK after 5pm or at weekends. During the day though there
are few spaces to be found. There is a car park by the markets, a multi storey
Upper Dean Street which is quite close or at the top of Bradford Street as it
goes into town. Or you could park in the Bullring/Selfridges car park and walk
down to the Anchor, takes about 5 minutes.
Gerry 22-05-2009
Digbeth O'lympics at The Anchor
Digbeth this weekend is holding its annual O'Lympics. The website is at
www.digbetholympics.org.uk/index.php Come and support your team on Sunday 20th
September at 2pm - 6pm on the hour/every hour. The Egg-a-thon, and extreme sport
requiring dexterity, concentration and BRAVERY! Teams of two required - not yet
a recognised sport but currently applying to the IOC for recognition. Confirm
your interest to George or Rob and book your starting time.
Gerry 18-09-2008
Brewing up in Rugby
Having come across your advert in August edition of "Last Orders" and then
looking at your fantastic website, I thought I would get in touch about the
possibility of getting our beers on your bar. We at Rugby Brewing Company run an
8 barrel plant that brews 9 regular beers and 7 Special Ales. We are getting
very positive feedback at present and think they would be very popular in your
pub as you are obviously very keen on traditional beers.
Damian at Rugby Brewing Company 18-08-2008
Sporting de Gijón football fans welcome at The Anchor
Hi Gerry, I found this photograph on Flickr. A good photograph taken inside the
Anchor last Saturday when Sporting de Gijón played Birmingham City.
Rich 11-08-2008
► Thanks Rich - nice photo promoting great football fans having a good time last
Saturday in the Anchor. Lot of scarves and shirts being exchanged. Good day for
football and sort of renews your faith in proper fans. We are listed on a few
fanzine type websites as being a pub to visit for well-behaved away supporters.
Obviously they check us out for our real ales too!
Gerry 11-08-2009
► A chance meeting on a train from London meant Julian brought some new friends to
the Anchor ~ a group of Spanish football supporters from Gijón, who were
travelling around 1,100km [700m] coming to see their team, Real Sporting Gijón
play Blues in a pre-season friendly!! Now, we KNOW the Anchor is a friendly
place and welcomes well-behaved away supporters but this lot were something
special. Apart from travelling a not inconsiderable distance, [and having to
stay in London – a penance for anyone really] the game was - I’ll say again a
pre-season friendly. The group Julian adopted [or was it the other way around?]
were [left to right in the photograph below Lozano, Juancho, Mario, Jairo, Jose
and, in front, Berto....
They were amongst the best fans we have had in the Anchor. Despite any language
problems - which were minimal, thanks to their English rather than our Spanish!
They chatted football, beer and life to many of the regulars; their passion for
their team was obvious, as was their distain for local Asturian rivals Oviedo.
They charmed everyone they met and enjoyed a few hours of banter and beer.
Despite the “Rojiblancos” - Red and White's - dislike for Blue and White [Oviedo
colours], they have taken Blues to their hearts and adopted us as their Premier
League team. The game was fairly incidental and they returned to the Anchor
having swapped and bought shirts etc. although mainly the Red and White away
versions!
Many of the photos have ended up on the Sporting fans forums. The one of Spoon
has this caption: "Con un heavy "old-school" del Birmingham en el Anchor. (No olvidemos que esta ciudad es la cuna de Black Shabath y Judas Priest).
Translated - With a heavy "old-school" from Birmingham at the Anchor [Don't
forget that this city is where Black Sabbath and Judas Priest started]. An
extract from an e-mail with Mario this week: "I was watching the Anchor´s
website this afternoon. It´s very good, and...ups!!, there are a lot of
different beers!!!, I lovely beer!! the Anchor is fantastic!! We were yesterday
in our "anchor" (La Fragua is the name) talking with the owner, and we are going
to see your match against Man Utd. next Sunday and support BCFC of course!
Cheers from Gijon!!!
John McCoy 15-08-2009
► I've recently added The Anchor to the "recommended pubs" section for away fans
looking to visit St Andrews on AwayGrounds.com ( http://www.awaygrounds.com/birmingham-city-st-andrews/)
and would like to add a photo of the pub if possible so people unfamiliar with
the area can spot it from a distance - Do you have one I could use on the site?
John Lamerton - Away Grounds 16-09-2009
Flying visit from Liverpool geologist with a bent for old 78's
I made a quick visit to the Anchor Inn yesterday, after a long meeting in
ThinkTank, before rushing to get a train back to Liverpool. I just want to say
what a wonderful place you have and that I enjoyed my very brief visit from
start to finish. I arrived about 17.05 and was served immediately by a very
friendly member of staff [sadly I did not get the lady’s name], who even offered
me a taste of any of the beers on sale [I went for the Tring Mansion Mild which
was very nice]. In the main bar I felt very at home and met a couple of
interesting characters, including a chap called Peter [or Petedave as he also
wanted to be called – I think that is him in the main website photo] with whom I
had an interesting conversation about collecting shellac 78 records. If you know
him please tell him I will look for some up here for him. Sadly, my train was at
6pm from New Street so I had to rush off just after 5.30, but I hope I will be
back for a more leisurely visit soon. Good luck with the beer festival.
Tony Morgan, Geologist, Natural History Centre, World Museum Liverpool
21-05-2009
► Thank you Tony for your very kind words, I will pass on your comments to
Pete/Dave - he is a great character and well liked. Could I suggest you, if you
have the time, pop your comments on a site called Beer in the Evening - that
would be appreciated. Please pop into the Anchor when next in Brum.
Gerry 22-05-2009
Mad About Skinner's Beer
I have just been looking at the beer list for the May beer festival. It is a
very good selection. I noticed that you have Skinner's "Penny Come Quick" on. I
am one of the lads that wrote the Skinner's article for the CAMRA magazine "Out
In Brum", sometime back if you remember, and my mate is the grandson of Barry
the Ticker if you can remember him, though he is sadly no longer with us. We
will be meeting up at the Anchor on Sunday between 4pm and 5pm and it would be
great if the "Penny Come Quick" was on as we would have a good session as we are
massive fans of the brewery. If you could put it on for Sunday I would bring you
a couple of bottles of Skinner's down for you to enjoy.
Stuart Sturmey, Dudley CAMRA member and Skinner's Brewery fan 18-05-2009
► Hi Stuart, thanks for your kind words. I will try and help with your request but
no guarantees. Sorry.
Gerry 20-05-2009
► OK Gerry, thanks for getting back to me and if the Skinner's is on great, but if
not there are lots of good ones on to sample besides.
Stuart Sturmey, Dudley 20-05-2009
► Me and Ant arrived at the Anchor at half past three today and within ten minutes
the "Penny Come Quick" was on and it in top form. I had 6 pints and Ant was on
his 8th pint when I left. I texted Steve Skinner, the guy who owns the brewery,
to tell him you had "Penny Come Quick" on for the beer festival and that it was
on top form. He texted back to say thank the landlord for keeping the beer in
top condition. Also, I hope you get the two bottles of Skinner's we left for you
- a bottle of Betty Stogs and a bottle of Heligan Honey. Enjoy!
Stuart Sturmey, Dudley 24-05-2009
► Hi Stuart, glad you enjoyed your day at The Anchor. We managed to put the
Skinner's on as you asked for the Sunday - it has been very popular. Keep your
eyes on our website as it may get voted back in our "Best of the Fest" when we
bring back the top dozen beers as voted by the customers. If you can spare the
time, would appreciate a review on Beer in the Evening. Hope to see you both
again soon.
Gerry 25-05-2009
► Hello again Stuart, you will be glad to hear that Skinner's "Penny Come Quickly"
Stout was voted by the customers to return! No surprise to you no doubt. This
will be on sale at the Best of the May Fest that will take place on Thursday
25th to Monday 29th June 2009.
Gerry 30-05-2009
My Little Boozer Webcast
I am now revising our Birmingham entries on the website www.mylittleboozer.com.
Your Anchor Inn has been added. If you know of other local pubs with their own
websites please let me know. The first week in July is National Pub Website Week
and we hope you will mark this celebration of the Great British Pub and the
importance of having a presence on the world wide web by holding an event i.e. a
web-warming party or barbecue perhaps including a live webcast.
Dave Sampson 16-05-2009
London Playtex Moonwalk
Hi Gerry, Sorry, I forgot I was supposed to contact you about the walk that me
and Karen are doing. Mo reminded me last night. It's the London Playtex
Moonwalk. On the night of Saturday 16th May 2006 we will be walking round Hyde
Park in our bra's with hundreds of other ladies, all raising money for Breast
Cancer. See http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home. We are very excited about it and
have raised over £600 so far (www.justgiving.co.uk/bustybluesbabes). We get our
bra's soon and will start decorating them - in royal blue of course!!
Sue Biela, Bordesley Green 07-04-2009
► Hi Gerry, The walk was on Saturday night. And we did it! I have attached a
couple of photographs for you as long as you are not offended by ladies in
bra's!! We are all out on Saturday night anyway so will pop in to the Anchor. We
have raised over £1,000 now. Thank you so much.
Sue Biela, Bordesley Green 19-05-2009
The Best Pub in Birmingham
Gerry, thank you for letting me celebrate my 38th birthday at The Anchor. It is
the best pub in Birmingham without a doubt.
Rachel Day aka Rascal The Clown 04-04-2009
► Thank you Rachel - that is very kind of you. I am glad you enjoyed your week of
celebrations!
Gerry 07-04-2009
Abbeydale Brewery and Off Sales from The Anchor
Can you let me know what Abbeydale beers you have available at the moment?
Absolution? My reason for asking is that, tragically, a very close friend from
my Round Table was murdered whilst in Florida - we intend to celebrate his life
and give him a good send off and one of his favourite pubs was the Three Stags
Heads in Wardlow where we all consumed more than a few pints of Absolution/Black
Lurcher and the odd half of the Last Rites… As we are based in Birmingham,
Wardlow is a bit too far to go to buy beer and bring it back and having
contacted the brewery they recommended me to you! Can I also ask if you have any
form of "take away" containers for beer to be brought home? Never done it
before, don't know if such a thing even exists??? I guess I would be looking to
buy about 20 pints?
John Studman, Birmingham 19-03-2009
► So sorry to hear of the death of your friend. Unfortunately, at the moment we
have no Abbeydale beers in stock - we did a whole weekend selling their beers
about a month ago, which is probably why you were pointed in our direction. Even
if I was to place an order with a supplier today - the earliest I could have it
on sale would be next weekend. I do not think that would be of any use to you.
We do have carry out 4 pint jugs - we charge £1.50 for them, they are plastic
and re useable. The only other thought that comes to mind - two pubs you could
contact, that may be currently selling an Abbeydale beer: The White Lion at
Bilston and the Waggon and Horses at Halesowen. Hope this information helps.
Gerry 20-03-2009
Not such a regular customer - a thirty year gap in visiting the pub
Well as I live and breathe, Gerry Keane!!! I must admit I’m very impressed with
your web site Gerry! And the pub must have improved somewhat, that I can
remember in the late 70’s!!!! Sound’s a great place to visit!! As it happens,
I’m up in Birmingham this weekend and was looking for an establishment to
partake in a few gallons of Magner's. I was shocked when I couldn’t see that
particular tipple on your menu until I looked in the Winter Sale!! And sure
enough, there she blew!!! There’ll be a few lads I know up for the craic this
weekend, one of my friends is getting married, I don’t know if they’ll all be
out for the session in the Anchor, I’ll probably come on down Saturday
afternoon!! Maybe Friday evening, if you’re around? I could meet up with you for
a pint? I’ll pop in anyway, we’re staying at the Quality Hotel on Hagley Road,
so I suppose it won’t be a very long cab ride – or maybe walk?? Take care and
hope to catch up.
Mick McGee, Wembley, Middlesex 04-03-2009
► Hi Mick, great to hear from you. Same Grade II listed bar - as when you young
rugby players used to pass through on the way to the Boar's Head - I think I
have the name right? Look forward to chewing the cud, from memory the last time
we saw you, you had a wee Coleen in tow? I assume this is a boys only bash? Will
have to get you on "the Keane's" - our own version of Magner's.
Gerry 05-03-2009
Church End Beer Festival
In your advertisement featured in the latest "What's Brewing" there is no date
for the annual Church End ales festival. Are you not doing one this year?
Jonathan Kerry 27-01-2009
That weekend has been replaced with a weekend of beers from Northern
Microbrewers. This event is called "Sup Up Lad."
Gerry 28-01-2009
Former regulars say hello
Very cool Gerry, I was freaked out to see the menu! Gordon Ramsay look out! Very
respectable nosh while supping on your delightful ale. Pauline has yet another
shade of hair, or was it a wig? You and your moustache look as handsome as ever,
tons of character. I will be making a chicken stuffed with haggis on Burns night
and we'll be raising a glass to you and the crew. Tell everyone we say hello,
especially Bob and Big Phil, how's he handling the menopause and tell Spoon I
bet he's jealous we're in the land of Whisky, we get it on tap! now.
Sheron and Bernie 19-01-2009
Cherry beer mystery
I visited The Anchor on Saturday and had one of the guest beers which was cherry
beer available in half pint only.
What was the name of this beer and what % ABV is it?
Mark Horton, Birmingham 10-11-2008
► Hi Mark, working from the information you have given me, you were offered only a
half pint? in hopefully a stemmed glass? Then this sounds like Kriek, a Belgian
draught Cherry beer. But this weekend we also had an English cherry beer on our
handpulls from the Elland Brewery. This was called Serotina Falls 5.0%. I hope
this helps.
Gerry 10-11-2008
A happy customer from Kent
I travelled from Dover yesterday to see a mate I had not seen for 25 years. I
also used the trip to visit the famous Anchor Inn. What a great pub, atmosphere
and range of beers. Unfortunately, it was a flying visit so, I only sampled a
few beers. I am now planning my next trip to Birmingham which will hopefully be
sooner rather than later. Keep up the good work!
Sean, Dover 01-11-2008
Enville Ales at The Anchor
I go into your pub most Friday nights but one night a few weeks ago I enjoyed
the best pint I have ever tasted. The beer was Enville Ale but, needless to say,
it had run out by 10 o'clock that night. When will you be getting more in? I
have been popping in but so far have not seen it back in your pub.
Bridget Rafferty, Birmingham 08-08-2008
Travelling Away Football Fans
We are four friendly Sheffield United fans coming to our away game at St
Andrew's and would like to visit your pub. Do you welcome friendly away fans?
Also, thanks to Sky TV, the game kicks off at 12.45 which does not leave much
time for eating and drinking - what time will you be open?
Dave Wainwright, Sheffield 03-08-2008
► Hi Dave, we always welcome well-behaved friendly away fans. Due to the early
start time, we are planning to be open by 10.15am, serving breakfast sandwiches
and some unusual ales! I would imagine we will have quite a few United fans
including Steve from the Fat Cat. Please make yourself known to us.
Gerry 08-08-2008
Pub Opening Hours
Hi. I have got a good friend coming in from the Netherlands and I need to
impress him with some good beers. You look like the place. Could you let me know
your opening hours in the week?
Keith Butler, Birmingham 29-07-2008
► Monday to Wednesday 11am till 12pm midnight
Thursday 11am till 12 30 am
Friday and Saturday 11am till 1am
Sunday 12 noon till 1am
Please note that these times are followed by 30 minutes 'drinking up' time
We do have a 4am licence but we use this at our discretion
Gerry 29-07-2008
Worcestershire ramblings
Hi Gerry. How's things going? I just found your new pub website - it's great.
Just thought I would say hello mate - love the photographs on the site. Do any
of the old crowd still get in there? I had some great times there!! I must get
up there soon as it's been a while since I've been to Brum. Bye for now.
Steve McNall, Evesham 24-07-2008
► Great to hear you are alive 'n' kicking Steve, a lot of the old crowd are
not!!!! Call in when next in Birmingham. Cheers
Gerry 25-07-2008
German Weißbier/Lager
Hi, could you let me know what German beers you have. I know you do Erdinger but
a friend of mine said you have some more there too!! Just love the stuff. If
not, do you know somewhere in Birmingham that does. Quite a low supply here
compared to Manchester and London for some reason.
Dan 02-07-2008
► Hi Dan. We recently lost our imported Dortmunder lager -short term replacement,
but a bit too mainstream for us - Becks Vier 4%. We also have Schneider Weisse
in bottles, but most of our bottles are Belgian. We were recently approached by
a new source of German speciality beers. We are hoping to expand our German
bottle and draught range though this may not happen till about August 2008. Hope
that answers your query.
Gerry 13-07-1998
Hello Gerry and the Team!
Well! Was just browsing your fab new website - great photo of George! - and love
all the items. It's a bit sad that you haven't included a mini biog of your
great house band One 2 Many as I think they deserve a mention. They are almost
part of the Anchor family now and have seen many a fine barmaid/barman pass
under the bridge, so to speak! Anyway, keep up the good work and give those guys
from One 2 Many a rise in their fee as they're well worth it - particularly the
singer - not 'arf!. Will be passing your way soon........on the way to The
Swan!!!!
Ade 13-02-2008 |
