I came here with a few work friends on a Wednesday night. One of us was familiar with the pub but hadn't been in a few years whilst the rest of us were there for the first time. The pub was pleasant looking, clean and had a nice, old fashioned bar with a good selection of drinks. 2 of us ordered from the pie menu which offers 6 lovely sounding pies, a choice of plain, cheesy or mustard mash and minted or garden peas and gravy for £7.95.My Wife had the Deer Stalker (venison, gravy, smoked bacon and lentil) with plain mash and garden peas and I had the Heidi (a vegetarian pie consisting of goat's cheese, spinach and sweet potato) plain mash and minted peas which we both really enjoyed. The pub has themed nights and on the night we went there was a quiz on which was fun. The bar staff were friendly, the drinks reasonably priced and the atmosphere was pleasant. Looking forward to returning in the future
Went to this pub on a groupon brewery and meal deal. Brewery was just one small room but very interesting and lovely friendly man doing the tour. After which there was a tasting session with the man joining us to explain the different beers. A pie meal followed which was delicious due to their chicken pies being free range, not many places have free range chicken so I was happy. The place was so busy very friendly atmosphere. No televisions, no games machines just peoplechatting to each other. Tables both sides of us chatted to us. Lovely ppl lovely food great friendly place well worth a visit
Our first time at the Duke William but certainly not the last! From the minute we walked through the door we were made to feel welcome. Did the brewery tour which Alex and Wilson made very fun and entertaining! We then got down to business, sampling beers, thank goodness then for the wonderful meal of pie and mash with a choice of pie, either mushy or garden peas and a choice of garlic, cheesy, plain or mustard mash, all absolutely delicious. Even at 6.30 the bars were heaving with customers and had a really lovely feel to the place. Well done Craddocks, you've obviously got the right recipe for success, keep up the great work, can't wait to return!
The staff are very friendly and up for a few jokes n a laugh. The decor is homely and almost no frills but very clean. There's an amazing choice of standard bar drinks and local breweries. Asked for a Guinness and was asked if I wanted to try a local thing.... It was actually a lot nicer!!! Can't believe I just said that but it was!Now the food...... O M G !!! Amazing pies, I travel from the other side of Birmingham just for these pies!!! The pies are awesome I can't say enough about the pies!!!!!! Visit for the pies!!!!!!!
If your sister tells you that you have to go out because she's having friends round no need to complain. A good excuse to have a Thursday night out somewhere local. The Duke used to be a proper old man's pub back in the 80s when I went to 6th form next door. Always used to go to the talbot for Stella and king Edward cigars (we were inbetweeners back then). Now the Duke is a great old fashioned boozer with plenty of beer options from in house craddocks brewery and serves pieminister pies. I had beef olive butter bean and chorizo pie. As good as it sounds served with simple options of 3 mashes and 2 peas. I had mustard and minted all for about 7 quid. Good atmosphere and nice beer garden. Best pub within the ring road by miles. Loved it.
Had the brewery tour with my Brother in Law as a belated Xmas pressie and after my sister volunteered to drop us off we arrived 30 minutes early so we could sample a pint before hand. We were part of a group of 10 for this tour given by Dave and Wilson, i think Wilson was the lackey or something like that and he knew nothing about football as he's a Villa supporter,lol. Seriously both were really informative and entertaining which made the experience all the better. After the short tour we got down to the serious stuff of sampling the brews and eating some fantastic pie's accompanied by great mash and peas. All in all it was a great few hours only to be spoil by having to return home way toooo early as Sister was waiting for us. We will have to find someway to get here by public transport so that we can all as a family enjoy the fantastic hospitality and atmosphere of the Duke William and also try out their other pub. You obviously have to pay for the brewery tour but it isn't a neccessity to enjoy this real ale and cider pub.
Attended a brewery tour and had a lovely time sampling the ales and topped off the visit with a very tasty pie and mash meal. Would recommend and definitely visit again.
We visited this pub as part of a Groupon brewery tour deal which I purchased as a present for my partner. On entering the pub, we were greeted with welcoming bar staff and it was not long before the brewery tour began. The pub is very traditional and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. The tour itself was presented by the resident brewers at the pub, Alex and Wilson who were both very friendly and enthusiastic throughout. They dealt particularly well with interjections from a few wannabe home brewers within our tour group who tried to throw them off track a few times, this was no problem as they clearly know what they are talking about. We were given samples of the malt and hops which are used to produce the beer at Craddocks and told about the process it goes through before it reaches our glass!After the tour, we were taken into a lovely back bar to sample some of the beers we had been told about, all of which were delicious and tasty even to someone like myself who would not usually choose beer as my number one tipple. We were also served our pieminister pie which was absolutely beautiful, I think the room went silent when the pies were served! They are perhaps the best pies in the world and that is no exaggeration! The service was excellent throughout, staff could not do enough for you. We thoroughly enjoyed this visit and would recommend anyone to visit this pub either as part of a tour or just to pop in for a pie and a pint.My partner particularly recommends the 'Troll' which is a strong pale ale, very flavourful and refreshing, the Goat Herder which is a porter/stout, very rich taste but without the weight of Guinness etc, and the Monarch's Way which was an darkish amber beer and a terrific all rounder for those who love good old Real Ale. The Crazy Sheep is a very popular beer and worth trying too.A smashing experience and a 5 out of 5 review thoroughly deserved. Recommended for all!!!
We're gifted a brewery tour, and duly turned up ready for a tour. at the appointed time we're take to a room the size of a normal room, with 5 vats. Amazed to find this was the entire brewery! Alex and Wilson knew their stuff, and they do make some good beers! This was followed by a choice of pies, choice of mash, and choice of peas. Everyone on the tour were complimentary about the food, and I would be more that happy to try a different brew and a different pie and a different mash and different peas. Looks like more than one visit !
Was told about this place and must say I wasn't at all disappointed. There are 4 home-brewed ales and numerous other beers and ciders. There's a 'buy 8 get 1 free' offer on the home-brew ales which kept us coming back! The pies are superb but are only served till 7 or 8pm depending on the night. 6 types including a veggy one, 3 sorts of mash and 2 of peas. The staff and customers were all welcoming and friendly and we had some interesting conversations on some strange topics. Really great pub!