Food & drink in Birmingham

In the days of the Industrial Revolution many pubs and bars catered for the city's hungry workforce. The first local brewery on a large scale appears to have been the Birmingham Old Brewery which was erected in Moseley Street in 1782. By 1890 Birmingham was home to 2,178 public houses which were often judged by the quality of their "stingo" (beer).

Many successful Birmingham based Breweries such as Ansells, Holt Brewery Co Ltd, Kings Heath brewery, Davenports and Mitchells & Butlers prospered from the local fondness of Ale. Many of these old brands were later bought out by other breweries and with the national taste for ale subsiding, many were subsequently closed down.

Bought out in 2000 by Aston Manor Brewery is the surviving Highgate Brewery. Brewed without a break since 1899 and with many CAMRA awards, the most famous ale brewed there is the award winning classic 'Dark Mild' which has been awarded three gold medals at the International Brewing Awards as well as two silver trophies. Dark Mild is noted for its taste of chocolate, liquorice, roast malt and fruit. Banks's brewery still operates in nearby Wolverhampton and retains many period public houses across Birmingham and the Midlands.

Many fine Victorian pubs and bars can be found across the city in areas such as the Irish Quarter. In Aston, the Barton Arms survives, retaining its intricate carvings and tiling. Other fine period pubs which have been praised by travel writer Bill Bryson include the Three Magpies in Hall Green, the Red Lion in Kings Heath and the British Oak in Stirchley. The oldest Inn in Birmingham is the Old Crown in Digbeth, which dates back to circa 1450. The Anchor Inn, also in Digbeth, dates back to 1797 and won the prestigious CAMRA award of 'Regional Pub of the Year' in 1996/7 and again in 1998/9.

In 1792, Lord McCartney, the British Ambassador to China, wrote to Matthew Boulton, the great Birmingham businessman, requesting the presence of a skilled worker to accompany him on his posting in the first British trade mission to China. The mission had an effect. A letter to Matthew Boulton from James Cobb at East India House in London in 1794, noted how the Chinese Embassy was very interested in Birmingham manufactured goods: Birmingham's metal goods helped to pay for the vast quantities of tea, which Britain imported from that country.

During the early 19th century Thomas Ridgway began trading in the bull ring, selling Tea he was of the earliest British Tea pioneers. Ridgway later went bankrupt, setting up business in London he payed back all of his creditors and continued his tea trade becoming one of the first English tea companies to hygienically prepack tea so as to avoid adulteration. In 1876 Queen Victoria commanded House of Ridgways to create a blend for her own personal use. Her Majesty's Blend is born. In 1863 William Sumner published "A Popular Treatise on Tea". In 1870 Sumner (founder of Typhoo) started a pharmacy/grocery business in Birmingham. The Typhoo and Ridgway brand name are now owned by Premier Brands USA.

Birmingham's earliest food trade connections with the West Indies involved the importation of limes and cocoa during the mid to late 1800's.

"The Montserrat Co. Ltd. was formed in Edgbaston by J.& E. Sturge. Lime juice was produced in the city and then exported for use in the manufacture of citric acid. The failure of Sicily's lemon crop at that time resulted in an opening in the market which Sturge took great advantage of utilizing their extensive chemical works based in Edgbaston. The company was set up by the Sturge and Albright families who funded the development of Montserrat estates in 1867. The lime juice was used as a source of Vitamin C to prevent scurvy among seafearers.

Joseph Sturge bought the Elberton Sugar Estate in 1857, he converted it into a lime production plant, he also wanted to prove that free labour could be made profitable. (The Sturge family were instrumental in the anti-slavery movement.)

Famous food brands that originate from Brum include Typhoo tea, Birds custard (and custard powder), Blue Bird Toffee, Bournville cocoa, world-renowned Cadburys chocolate, and HP Sauce. Daddy's ketchup is also made in the city.

In 1896, a new building was built in Corporation Street by the supervision of a pioneering vegetarian by the name of James Henry Cook, this was to become the first ever Vegetarian Hotel and Restaurant in England and possibly the world. Subsequently in 1898 'The Pitman Vegetarian Hotel' was opened, named after Sir Isaac Pitman, who was a famous Vegetarian. Shortly after the immense success of the 'Pitman' the first ever Health Food Store was opened in the city.

Birmingham is home to a wide variety of Asian eateries which have served the people of Birmingham since the 1950's, the Wing Yip food empire first began in the city and now has its headquarters in the Chinese Quarter along with many other fine oriental restaurants.

In 1945 Abdul Aziz opened a cafe shop selling curry and rice in Steelhouse Lane. This later became The Darjeeling, the first Indian in Birmingham, owned by Afrose Miah. The second was The Shah Bag on Bristol Street and the growth really got underway in the 1950’s. The Aloka opened on Bristol Street in 1960 and Banu on Hagley Road in 1969. The Balti was invented in the city and has since received much gastronomic acclaim for the 'Balti belt' of restaurants in the Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Ladywood areas of the city.

Thai Edge, which started out in Brindley Place has been praised as one of the top ten Asian restaurants in the UK by The Independent magazine.

A plethora of exciting restaurants and eateries have been quietly evolving in a vibrant Birmingham. There have always been good quality restaurants in the city, though many were overlooked in the last two decades due to Birmingham's desolate, concrete image from a sometimes inaccurate outside press.

Birmingham is twinned with Lyon which is renowned for its fine cuisine. The city now boasts two Michelin stars. Simpson's and Jessica's, both in Edgbaston, were awarded one star each in the 2005 Michelin restaurant guide for Great Britain and Ireland. Jessica's was also named AA England Restaurant of the Year 2004/2005.

The BBC Good Food Show takes place at The NEC and is Britain's biggest and most extensive food event.