This fascinating volume records the pubs, inns, taverns and beer-houses that lie, and lay, within the present Inner Ring Road and the Bull Ring - the very heart of Birmingham. Here, is situated the city"s parish church and its original village; and its oldest inns were built around its market place, the earliest of which was the Red Lion. Illustrated with over 100 images, this book is a captivating record of the history of central Birmingham"s public houses, the people who ran them, the customers who frequented them and the brewers who supplied and usually owned them. This volume also looks in detail at the social and historical function of the public house within the city, and will be of interest to both those who frequent the pubs of this area and those interested in the history of Birmingham.