March 6, 2009
Certainly a place to seek out if you want to see the real side of Reading. Friendly and welcoming, if a trifle bizarre. Probably the best selection of Belgian bottled beers in Reading (but that’s not saying much). The real ales are always in tip-top condition.

July 9, 2008 [ Updated August 21, 2008 ]
I’m amazed no-one’s rated this before – maybe it’s because it’s hidden in a tiny back street, disguised as a mid-terrace house. I think that in the distant past the landlord simply converted his lounge & dining room into a pub – it’s maybe not been redecorated since. The pub can seem shabby, but it’s always clean - one of my female friends, initially wary of the worn furniture & old decor, left raving about a pub where the ladies loo was spotless & also contained flowers & free tampons! In the back room they’ve squeezed in a pool table, dartboard, an eclectic if rather dated jukebox, a piano and a couple of tables. The front room is the haunt of the regulars (usually seven of them but if you happen to take their seat you needn’t worry – they’re very friendly to newcomers! The odd pub events - the bring & share cheese nights, the pickled onion contests, the pig club - all testify to this being a real, friendly community pub. The landlady is a bubbling whirlwind of friendly cheerfulness, but the landlord can seem a little quiet - however, get him talking on his favourite subjects (beer & cider) & he’s a wealth of enthusiastic knowledge! Which brings us onto the main reason for visiting this charming pub - the booze. Your lagerboy friends needn’t feel intimidated by the big chalkboard ale & cider menus in both bars - there’s a smattering of macro swill hidden in shame on the back room bar, including Hooegarden & Leffe Blonde (the fact they’re considered as macro brands gives you an idea of what this pub is like!). Seven real ale handpumps are proudly squeezed onto the tiny front bar. There’s always Loddon Ferryman’s Gold & Ringwood Best, & up to 5 guest beers which change very regularly & are always in superb condition. At their beer festival, there’ll be an extra fifteen or so more unusual beers, served from casks in the back room. There’s a good range of bottled beers (eg Rochefort 8, Schlenkerla rauchbier) served in the correct branded glasses. For the appleheads there’s usually 3 draught real ciders served from kegs in the cellar, & a few unusual bottled real ciders. It’s worth checking the pub’s website - it’s updated daily with beers on now and next. Overall it’s the best community pub I’ve ever found - a real dream local that’s been voted best Reading pub by my “Weird Pub Wednesday” drinking group. The only downside is the lack of a garden, but in wet British summers who’s going to miss that?