It’s a distinctly American tradition, heading to the water to kick back with friends and celebrate the stars and stripes come Independence Day.But this July 4, revellers will be flocking to an unassuming stretch of Birmingham canal for the annual celebration of American culture.There are two significant must-visit spots in South Birmingham going all out for Independence Day this year and both are within walking distance of one another – and the tip!Read more: Birmingham food and drink news round-up including new favourite, 13 closures and pub ideasThe first is Brew Export Beer Cave, a drinks warehouse with its own taproom and refrigerated space packed to the rafters with American beers (many with the most lurid range of fun labels and designs).The venue, on the Waterside Business Park between Stirchley and Cotteridge, is right opposite the junction of Lifford Lane, with its own little sunny beer garden on the canalside.It’s industrial, a working area, but it gives it the kind of grit you imagine Springsteen fans would love – it’s giving Blue Collar energy, as it were.Brewexport is on the Waterside Business Park(Image: Brew Export Beer Cave and Taproom)The July 4 weekend celebrations is really one for beer lovers, with loads of drinks you’d struggle to find anywhere else.There’s an East Coast vs West Coast menu with drinks from breweries from both sides of the USA, with IPAs, DIPAs, pales and pils.There’s a full list of fun cream stouts, drinks with flavours of Biscoff-style biscuit, peanut butter cups, milkshakes and cheesecakes!Or, for those that prefer something fruitier, smoothie sours with flavours of mango, passionfruit, peach, strawberries and cream.They sell mead too! That’s at Unit 4b, Waterside Business Park, 1649 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 3DR.Further along the canal, a 15 minute stroll down Lifford Lane, the second of the big South Birmingham American venues will be in full party mode for Independence Day too.Rodeo’s is a beloved honky tonk in Birmingham, a sister venue to the ever-popular Wolverhampton branch and a place to scoot your boots.There’s a bucking bronco to ride for free, American beers in the fridge served up beneath a wealth of American licence plates and a dancefloor for line dancing!A Sunday afternoon conga in the heat at Rodeo’s(Image: Kirsty Bosley)This July 4 it’s going big, an open air show filled with tribute performers to stars like Morgan Waller, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Ella Langley with a whole second stage for acoustic performers.Smoked barbecue food is on the menu to go with those long neck ice cold beers, while Ariat, Stetson and the Rodeos Western Store will be selling country and western goodies to deck you out good!It’s like a little slice of Nashville on our doorstep and it’s at Lakeside, 180 Lifford Lane, B30 3NU with a few tickets available at the time of writing.Who knew the Worcester and Birmingham Canal could be so much fun!?
Stretch of industrial Birmingham canal becomes go-to for summer celebration
