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History: Home > The Anchor
The Anchor (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Offbeat - Off The Rails |  | 1 |
| Wye Valley - Bitter | | 2 |
| Liverpool Organic - Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Church End - What the Fox's Hat (aka EAT) | | 1 |
| Late Knights - Crack of Dawn Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Holden's - Goodfellow |  | 1 |
| Attic - Ember | | 1 |
| Wye Valley - Butty Bach | | 1 |
| Hobsons - Mild | | 1 |
| Loch Ness - Hoppy Ness | | 1 |
| Blue Monkey - Infinity IPA (was Infinity) | | 1 |
| Loch Lomond - Kessog Dark Ale |  | 1 |
| Sperrin Brewery Victory Beers (Lord Nelson) - Head Hunter | | 1 |
| Born in the Borders (formerly Scottish Borders) - Wee Beastie | | 1 |
| Barney's - Red Rye | | 1 |
| Loch Leven - Ravenmad | | 1 |
| Halton Turner - Whiplash | Not Tried | 0 |
| Church End - Fallen Angel | Not Tried | 0 |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitworth - Sobriety | Not Tried | 0 |
| Church End - Gerry's Sherry | Not Tried | 0 |
| Church End - Old Rider | Not Tried | 0 |
| White Gypsy - Mustang | Not Tried | 0 |
| Gloucester - Dockside Dark | Not Tried | 0 |
| Church End - Horny Devil | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brewshed - Cocoa Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Church End - Goats Milk | Not Tried | 0 |
| Banks's - Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Box Steam - Derail Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Box Steam - Broad Gauge | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
26 Mar 2026 (Magnus Greel)
Lunchtime friendly welcome from the barmaid who patiently waited while I chose my beer to which a group of elderly beer tourers complimented my first choice, Ember, to which I concur. One chap took photos of the clips to send to a friend who couldn't join them. Fabulous! Pub has shed its box ticking rainbow affinity from my last visit and has been tidied up inside with a lick of paint but otherwise unchanged. There was also an Anchor M&B Mild house beer on offer, I didn't investigate or research into this.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Church End - What the Fox's Hat (aka EAT) | 4.20 | | Perfect temperature for this traditional bitter with a refreshing sweet malty oaky finish. |
| Blue Monkey - Infinity IPA (was Infinity) | 4.60 | | Hoppy malty biscuity fare. |
| Attic - Ember | 4.50 | | Malty citrus plus hints of toffee and herbs for this tasty complex fare. Potential 4* had it been served a bit cooler. |
| Church End - Fallen Angel | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | 4.90 | Not Tried |
26 Mar 2022 (Magnus Greel)
Even on approaching it was obvious this pub has gone downhill, loud music and colourful 'rainbow era' younger folk were attracted here, sadly no longer the old boy with flat cap and whippet's pub any more. The interior was run down, neglected and shabby but not in a charming 'chic' way. We supped our halves and moved on.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wye Valley - Bitter | 3.70 | | |
| Wye Valley - Butty Bach | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Halton Turner - Whiplash | 5.40 | Not Tried |
24 Jul 2018 (Magnus Greel)
We were the first customers not long after 1700 opening on Mons & Tues, which is contrary to Whatpub's 1200 advised opening time. *Update* Courtesy of P&B luminary Mr Pirrip, Whatpub's times are now correct.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wye Valley - Bitter | 3.70 | | Perfectly chilled and carbonated, a proper English bitter but lacking the sweet malty flavour IMO as it should be. |
12 Apr 2018 (Magnus Greel)
Mid afternoon and quiet in the main bar 4 others here. Many years since my last visit, well before the inception of this website and it hasn't changed a bit. Superb.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wye Valley - Butty Bach | 4.50 | | Dry with a peppery finish |
| Box Steam - Derail Ale | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Box Steam - Broad Gauge | 4.80 | Not Tried |
01 Mar 2015 (Stephen Harris)
Mid-afternoon and I arrived soaking wet after an unexpected downpour as I was walking here. Most people are in the Public Bar area in the corner of the building, studiously ignoring the football on one screen and rugby on the other. There were almost certainly additional beers available, but I failed to notice the blackboard until I was about to leave.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offbeat - Off The Rails | 4.30 | | A dark, rich, chocolaty Porter/Stout. |
| Holden's - Goodfellow | 5.30 | | A malt-heavy, amber beer. |
| Church End - Goats Milk | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Banks's - Mild | 3.50 | Not Tried |
18 Feb 2014 (HSB)
15:20 Making our way back to New Street via a few pubs. Only two other customers.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late Knights - Crack of Dawn Pale Ale | 3.90 | | |
| Gloucester - Dockside Dark | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Church End - Horny Devil | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Brewshed - Cocoa Porter | 4.70 | Not Tried |
12 Mar 2013 (Andrew)
this pub is kind of stood out on its own really. Impressive exterior. Only one other customer in when I was there.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobsons - Mild | 3.20 | | Excellent roasted sweet mild |
| Whitworth - Sobriety | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Church End - Gerry's Sherry | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Church End - Old Rider | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| White Gypsy - Mustang | 7.50 | Not Tried |
26 Oct 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
More beer festival refugees here.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sperrin Brewery Victory Beers (Lord Nelson) - Head Hunter | 3.80 | | Golden ale with faint hoppiness and little malt character. Rather musty flavour. My score 13/20. |
25 Jul 2012 (HSB)
Busy as usual.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool Organic - Best Bitter | 4.20 | |
28 Jan 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Burns festival in progress with rare Scottish brews.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loch Ness - Hoppy Ness | 5.00 | | Very pale but with more malt flavour than hops. Biscuity malt with some citrus hop. My score 15/20. |
| Born in the Borders (formerly Scottish Borders) - Wee Beastie | 3.60 | | Golden bitter with a bitter, malty character and some hoppiness. My score 14/20. |
| Barney's - Red Rye | 4.50 | | More amber than red, with a bitter hop character and a little citrus flavour. Dryish finish. My score 14/20. |
| Loch Leven - Ravenmad | 5.10 | | A ruby coloured strong dark bitter with strong caramel and toffee flavours counteracted by hop bitterness. My score 14/20. |
| Loch Lomond - Kessog Dark Ale | 5.20 | | Strong ruby bitter with a strange herbal flavour suggesting it might be brewed with heather or some such. Certainly low hopped with a dry finish. My score 12/20. |
About The Anchor
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 29 |
| 40 |
| 14 |
 | - |
The pub is found in Digbeth, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 6ET.
This pub is a Grade II listed building, on Bradford Street, and situated in Birmingham's Irish Quarter, at the rear of the old Digbeth Coach Station. Can have up to 14 different real ales on at any one time. Also hosts beer festivals with themes. Closed 12th June 2025 and now presumably seeking new tenants. Re-opened 31st October 2025.
We have visited this pub 23 times, seen 95 different beers and tried 79 of them.
Postcode: B5 6ET