Hail to the Ale, Wolverhampton — Restaurant in Wolverhampton

Visited for the first time on Friday 17 July 2018 after getting recommendations from friends. We managed to get a car parking space at the front of the Hail to the Ale where there is about six spaces available.

There is an outdoor set of benched tables to the right of the Hail to the Ale with lots of banners displaying the many awards that the Hail to the Ale has won from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

On entering the place you are faced with a comfortable carpeted area at the front with a step up to a plain floor area in front of the bar. The bar has about five real ale handpulls with further pulls for real cider. We sampled an interesting dark ale ' Leatherbritches Mad Ruby' which was sold at a very reasonable price of £3.00 a pint. The staff are very pleasant and supportive of the customers.

The Hail to the Ale is very welcoming to well behaved dogs with a number present whilst we were there. The Hail to the Ale has no piped music , WiFi or television allowing people to enjoy the beer and conversation. We were very impressed with both the place and the beer , people recommendations...

There's a reason why Hail to the Ale has won CAMRA's Wolverhampton Pub of the Year for five years in a row. Cask ale in perfect condition and a top atmosphere that some other pubs fail to get close to. The Hail is a micropub - a very small, one room pub. It was the first micropub to open in the West Midlands, back in 2013 and has done very well since, scooping up awards left right and centre. It would be a lie to say there is something for everyone here - if you like lager, spirits, fizzy cider, background music, TVs with sports playing or gambling machines, then the Hail is not for you. What you will find here is good real ale, real cider and perry, fruit wine, pub snacks (crisps, scratchings, cheese, pork pie, cobs) and the lost art of conversation. Oh, and traditional wooden games. The pub is also dog and family friendly. Opening hours are limited to Thurs 5pm - 10pm, Fri and Sat midday - 10pm and Sun midday - 5pm. If you're nearby and haven't visited yet, the Hail is well...

I've been coming to Hail for years now. I know so many people (and gorgeous dogs) because of this little pub. I remember the days of 12 or more of us around a collection of tables but since Covid hit, I can honestly say Angela and Gary have done what is expected of them to be responsible publicans in these weird times. Please don't let the size put you off coming. Book ahead, bring your mask and all will be well. Please support this local gem. It's better as a pub to provide company to folks (at the necessary distances) than as a furniture shop or post office. Give it a go. You will be safe and should have an enjoyable escape from these strange times for a couple of hours. All the best Angela, Gary, Pete and Tom (and...