With Dave Wacey returning to these shores, it was decided that a pub crawl of the mutually convenient location of Birmingham, plus access to their German Christmas market, would be a splendid idea. I have always had an affinity for Birmingham and it is a shame that we do not visit it for ales more often. Fortunately a pre-Christmas trip allowed a much needed visit which included the German markets.

When we arrived in Birmingham it was heaving to an intolerable level with what could loosely be described as humanity and so in a slight change of plan, we decided to meet Dave in Bacchus for one before braving the markets. We always like Bacchus, it is a cave of a pub with a good selection of ale. The only drawback is that the bar area is quite small so good luck if it gets busy. After steadying the nerves here, we decided to go the short distance upstairs to the swanky bar in the Burlington hotel, on the first floor. Typical hotel bar, servers in smart dress and but one continental lager on tap at elevated prices. A bit of refinement though in advance of what we were about to experience.

A throng of humanity greeted us as we left the hotel and inched our way to Victoria Square where it seemed everyone else had decided to gather. We were not especially picky about exactly where to go and so found a slightly less than heaving kiosk called Gluhwein Alm where we ordered a pair of beers and a gluhwein and stood nearby in the square to drink them. Deposits were returned when we returned the glasses. Rather expensive and not that comfortable but I suppose that is what the authentic German experience is all about. More Teutonic treats were at hand with a set of bratwursts at an expensive but rather fun stall a little way around the square.

Walking a little further we seemed to work our way back to where we had come in and so decided to sample a few at the excellent but unfortunately rammed Post Office Vaults. No seats and sweaty with fug of slightly drunken Christmas shoppers in great coats we did not stay that long, even though the beer was magnificent, and instead beat a retreat back to the square which seemed to be calming down a little as the light began to fade. We made our way to another part (Chamberlain Square) and another stall, this time called 'Cider Mulled Wine Champagne' where we had some more English style beers. Thankfully there was no messing around with deposits for glasses either, so on finishing all we had to do was FO to the next pub, just as well as I had a toilet need.

Proper pubs rounded off the day, with firstly the Wellington, which was quite busy, but as per usual excellent with a dozen or so real beers. Then came the Old Joint Stock, that grand Fuller's pub, which was also heaving, and was less easy to get a seat in. All in all a pretty good day out and something that is worth returning to although perhaps not when the Christmas Market is on.