Looking for a beer in Birmingham’s city centre isn’t hard. Especially, if you’re happy sticking to Stella or Carling. But if you fancy yourself a bit of a beer connoisseur, or just fancy a change of tipple for once, there’s really only one pub you should seek out—and you will have to seek it out—and that’s The Post Office Vaults.
A true ‘hidden gem’ in the heart of Birmingham, the former Post Office has been a haven for beer drinkers since 2011. Not only can you find eight real ales—with an ever-changing selection of guest beers from microbreweries around the country—but also the largest (up to 13) selection of traditional ciders and perries in Birmingham.
This doesn’t even scratch the surface of the selection on offer at The Post Office Vaults, which is best known for its specialist foreign beers—from Belgium and Germany to even the USA. There are currently 212 different bottled beers, including fruit, sour, stout, and lager beers, but at its pre-lockdown peak, there were 365 (!).
What should I drink?
Kinver First Class Stamp is a real ale that’s specially brewed for The Post Office Vaults and is always a good place to start. But why not go for something completely unique? Bosteels’ Deus Brut des Flandres is a one-of-a-kind barley ‘beer’ brewed in Belgium that’s sent to the Champagne area of France to undergo the same processes as the sparkling wine. It’s best served in champagne flutes, too!
There’s choose from in between these two, though, from authentic Trappist beers to West Coast-style IPAs. If you tried a new beer every single day, it’d take you more than six months, so repeat visits to the New Street bar are a must—and that’s without even taking into account the friendly atmosphere and traditional charm.
How do I get to the Post Office Vaults?
It’s only a two-minute walk from New Street Station, but it’s a ‘hidden gem’ for a reason. Google Maps will lead you to New Street, where you’ll find a blink-and-you-will-miss-it doorway between a Greggs and Simply Local. Alternatively, you can find a bigger entrance on Pinfold Street.