A HISTORIC Sedgley boozer has been voted the best brew pub in the West Midlands by beer lovers.

The Beacon Hotel was voted as the winner of best brew pub in the region by Rate Beer, a competition which saw beer fans all over the world vote for their favourite watering holes across the world.

The Bilston Street pub, which is home to Sarah Hughes brewery and is one the oldest licence breweries in the country, has been in operation since the eponymous Sarah Hughes began brewing at the site in 1850.

It remains in the family with Sarah Hughes' grandson John Hughes now owning the pub.

Current manager Alex Marchant said it was nice to to be recognised by the accolade, which the pub previously won two years ago.

Alex said: "We're old school, we don't have any games nor pool tables. We don't even do food, it's just beer and conversation.

"The interior is quite special and unchanged."

The pub still has many of its original Victorian features including an island bar and snug rooms.

It is also renowned for being the home of the 6.7% Ruby Mild, which Alex says is largely unchanged from when it was first brewed in the Victorian era.

Alex said: "The recipe was found by in old copper tin in the 70s by Sarah Hughes' grandson who started brewing it in the 80s as close to the original as possible."

The pub also brews two classic Black Country bitters, Surprise and Pale Amber.

Other Rate Beer winners in the West Midlands include Blackheath's Fixed Wheel Brewery for best brewery; Burning Soul Brewing Company in Birmingham for best tap room and the city centre Post Office Vaults was named best bar.