The Black Country was the industrial heartland of England, a harsh environment of coal and iron mines, of nail and chain making. Its people worked hard, and drank hard. This is the story of brewing in the region. It was often on a small scale, like the industry itself. The Black Country is known for its home-brew houses, and the characters associated with them - Ma Pardoe, Old Sal, Batham's, Holden's and Sarah Hughes - are part of our brewing heritage. The rise of the big brewers came late to the region, but made a major impression. Mitchells & Butlers at Cape Hill and Banks at Wolverhampton have strode through the pages of the brewing history of this country for over 125 years. This book, complete with over 100 illustrations, provides a fascinating insight into the history of brewing in the Black Country.