Brewery which keeps that traditional Black Country pub feel and taste

Breweries have been a part of the region for centuries, providing the welcoming aroma of hops and yeast in the air across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton and many different types of beer loved by thousands.

In the wake of the news of the planned closure of Banks's Brewery in Wolverhampton, the Express & Star wants to support our local breweries and show that there are still many out there producing quality beers to be enjoyed in pubs from Aldridge down to Smethwick.

As part of our Backing Our Breweries campaign, we are looking at different breweries do, how they grew and built up their reputation, what their products are, how they continue to run in what are difficult financial times and what makes them so special.

Over the last quarter of a century, Black Country Ales had established itself as a brewery of tradition and principles across both how it brews its beers and also how it runs its more than 50 pubs.

The brewery and its pubs have become popular among beer drinkers in the region through the quality of the drinks on offer, as well as the cosy and warming pubs spread all over the Black Country and further afield which carry the Black Country Ales name.

Black Country Ales was founded in 1999 by Angus McMeeking and, according to managing director Graham Manwaring, the plan had originally been to just run pubs serving real ale, but a chance discovery at the Old Bull's Head pub in Gornal changed the plans.

He said: "Angus started up the company with his first pub in Rugby, called the Lawford Arms, in 1992, and then bought the Old Bull's Head in 1999.