The Dudley and South Staffordshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale's pub of the year for 2026 is the Vine in Brierley Hill.

The pub in Delph Road, also known as the Bull & Bladder, has retained the title it won in 2025.

It follows judging of six finalists by branch members over recent weeks.

The Bull & Bladder, which is also the home of Bathams beers, came out on top by a narrow margin over the Malt Shovel in Tower Street in Dudley town centre. The Bull & Bladder

In third place was the Bird in Hand in John Street, Wordsley with the Beacon Hotel in Bilston Street, Sedgley, fourth and another Sedgley pub, The Mount Pleasant/Stump in High Street fifth.

The Old Bush in High Street, Wombourne, was sixth and was also the winner of the branch's South Staffordshire pub of the year award. It is part of the Black Country Ales chain of pubs. The Old Bush

The presentation of the award to the Vine is planned for Monday, April 13, during the branch meeting there which starts at 7pm. All branch members are invited to attend.

The Old Bush will receive its award during a branch scoring social in Wombourne on Saturday, April 4, starting from the Red Lion at 12 noon.

The Vine and The Old Bush will be put forward for the West Midlands county and Staffordshire county rounds of CAMRA's national pub of the year competition.