Latest reviews from Reading

“We have been in here a few times over the years, it is a friendly pie shop and restaurant that sells a few cask beers, just 3 on this visit. The beers tend to be of the easy to obtain variety but always well kept in my experience. Not a beer destination but the pies are great.“

imdownthepub 67 days ago

“Seemed like quite a trek from the centre, in particular as it was raining intermittently. Largish facility, but a fairly compact area to drink in. Decent selection of their own beers on tap, and a good selection of guests in the fridge. I think we even spotted a Pohjala bottle! Friendly staff, and generally has a cosier vibe than Phantom did, where we just came from.“

FatPhil 89 days ago

“Large open facility, there's no separation between the bar and the brewkit. Slightly impersonal benches and tables, it feels like you're at a festival, or something. Between the two bars there were at least 20 beers on, and they have a large fridge too with plenty of guests. Staff were friendly, happy to talk about the beers. A fixed flight was available, but you can do thirds of the ones not in that flight. Walkable from the centre. Worth a visit if in town, certainly.“

FatPhil 89 days ago

“Lovely little olde-worlde pub right in the heart of town. I love the little snugs round the back - the interior decs look like they've been lifted from a church. Not just the pews, there are stained glass windows here too. Good selection of rotating real ales, and some craft keg too. Friendly staff. My kind of place.“

FatPhil 89 days ago

“Large place, a bit echoey, but not quite dystopic. Friendly staff - handed out little tasters with gay abandon. Good selection, we found tons of stuff of the modern craft variety. Fits the brewdog pattern pretty well. Well worth an occasional visit.“

FatPhil 92 days ago

“Smells of my kind of pub - woody. Smallish place, but enoug space to fit half a dozen groups of people easily. Very compact bar area, there's more beer hidden there than you'd first expect - if the 4 HPs and 10 craft taps don't satisfy, there are dozens of bottles and cans. Music kept at a level that is conducive to conversation. Came here twice, as it was conveniently located. Were I local, I'd be here quite often, I'm sure. And what's this in the corner? A dart board for hobbits?!“

FatPhil 92 days ago

“Cozy little boozer, popular with the footie crowd, it seems. Seemingly unending range of beers, about a dozen HP and a dozen craft keg. Some changed whilst we were doing our rounds, and almost all were ticks. Competent staff, easy to catch their eyes. Decent food too. Absolute must visit place in town - we did it twice.“

FatPhil 99 days ago

“Just a short walk from the station. Pretty old-school back-to-basics pub, but the beer selection is fairly broad - 6 HP, 8 craft keg, a fair few bottles. More impressive is the number of pump clips on the ceiling and walls, they clearly bring lots of new beers in. Staff were very friendly both times we went. No flights, alas. Definitely worth at least one visit; as I said, we did two in our 4 days in town.“

FatPhil 99 days ago

“For a station pub, quite a nice one; better than most JDWs, for sure. Somewhat predictable selection of cask and craft keg, only the one tick found, but at least a few taps are rotating guests. Condition was very good for our real ale, though. Staff friendly and efficient. Pubs like this make turning up early for your train a pleasure.“

FatPhil 99 days ago

“Really good pub - cosy ambiance inside, big garden outside. Huge selection - about 12 ever-rotating casks, similar number on keg and loads of ciders as well if that's your thing. Sport on TV and a dart board. Really like this place.“

kwik-lime 205 days ago

“We stop here for breakfast on our Sunday visit to the Siren taproom - the bus stop is located on the other side of the pub. Decent one-floor, medium sized spoons. ten cask ales and the usual selection of craft beers on tap. 4.99 for a solid traditional breakfast. Polite service. Located in the outskirts of Reading, about ten minutes walk from the train station. (Visited with Finn, 01.10.2023).“

Rune 229 days ago

“Visited on Friday 6th October 2023 around 1730. Large and airy city centre brewpub ... aiming more towards the food market than beer (we didn't eat). Without asking the woman at the front desk took us to the bar and gave us generous tasters of all 6 beers on tap. Think it was a split of 3 regular beers and 3 guests so hats off for that service. Plenty of room and not particularly busy but starting to fill up when we left. They hand out free popcorn to you at the table. Clientele was a mixed bag of middle aged office workers, families with kids and some younger parties kicking the night off who were largely on the patio outside. Overall a pleasant experience here although the beers are very pedestrian hovering around the 3.0 mark.“

Theydon_Bois 239 days ago

“Visited on Friday 6th October 2023 around 1830. A pop style place, covered bench seating surrounded by 5 outlet style counters. 1 serving 8 Double Barrelled keg beers, 10 taps but 2 duplicates (plus wines/spirits etc) the other 4 serving various food stuffs, think Pizza, burgers, noodles etc. The place was pretty busy as the evening kicked in and we bagged the last table at the rear. Service was fine. Overall not a go too venue ... has that kind of stay for half an hour feel to it but I picked up 3 DB ticks and it's conveniently located in the city centre near to Zero Degrees and about a 10 mins walk to the railway station.“

Theydon_Bois 239 days ago

“Visited on Friday 6th October 2023, around 1600 so not too long after the 1500 opening. Just over a 10 minute walk from Reading station, the rear entrance at the Caversham side (high numbered platforms). Set across 2 industrial units with 2 bars, the bar on the left hand side wasn't open at the time of our visit and carried a completely different tap list to the right hand side bar. No bother ... we could still order beers from the other side the bar staff just went and fetched them. 19 beers on tap during our visit ... 16 Phantom and 3 guest. All available in thirds and a set tasting flight of 5 Phantom beers. Service was prompt and friendly and the place was starting to get busier by the time we left at 1730. The bottle fridge by the right hand bar carried a good 60 plus cans, about 30 or so of their own, the rest guests including the likes of Trillium and various UK craft. The food menu looked really good ... lots of high end burgers from a nearby unit who deliver to your table after ordering via a QR code. Phantom beers have got better and better for me over the last few years ... this was a solid taproom with quality beers on tap and in the fridge. Will be back sooner than later.“

Theydon_Bois 239 days ago

“Traditional ´spoons. Handy for bus 3 to Siren/Elusive.“

Finn 250 days ago

“A large industrial unit, not far from Reading Station (if you know where you're going), with limited opening hours, and an extensive beer menu. We spent a very pleasant Friday afternoon sitting outside in the sunshine last week, starting with the tasting flight and then trying a few of the other beers. Very friendly table service with knowledgeable and helpful staff.“

berkshirejohn 288 days ago

“Visited May 2012.“

fonefan 328 days ago

“Final pub on my Reading crawl of 30th June 2023. Formerly the Hobgoblin. A lot of wood panelling inside, with walls and ceilings bedecked in clip badges. Behind main drinking area is a corridor with a number of intimate compartments seating 2 to 4. A range of cask ales is supplemented by a selection of Belgian bottles. Seemingly unchanged since I last visited in 1989 or 90, except that it is no longer a Hobgoblin pub despite being the brewery’s first outlet. The commercial reasons for this change were explained by the ultra friendly manager who found plenty of time for a chat on the bar. Great folk music playlist. An enjoyable end to an impromptu city crawl. Allow yourself twenty minutes to the station platform and you’ll not miss your train.“

ladnewton 341 days ago

“Award winning backstreet ale emporium. Paid maiden visit on 30th June 2023 after the Allied. Spacious open plan pub with bar to the rear and dartboard to the right as you enter. Very friendly vibe, as run by enthusiasts. This hostelry boasts no fewer than twelve casks, 14 kegs, 5 lagers and as many as fifteen real ciders. Very keen pricing with at least one ale less than £4 a pint, and indeed a 10% TIPA for a very competitive £6.60. Locals will chat to you if you’re by yourself. This gem is well deserving of its awards, and well worth the effort of finding. A must!“

ladnewton 341 days ago

“This welcoming two-roomed pub was first on my list for a Reading crawl on 30th June 2023. Friendly staff and punters in the public bar during my visit at around 7.30pm. Up to 10 cask ales available on tap, from which I enjoyed two superb Loddon offerings, Hullabaloo and Citra Quad. It was only on my way out to my next pub that I got to see their cosy intimate saloon bar, missed only because staff were entering through a tight doorway. A spacious, partly covered garden. No food except packet snacks and confectionery, but the pub’s website invites BYOF. Visitors to the Allied should note it is card only. Well worth a visit.“

ladnewton 341 days ago

“The brewery occupies two huge adjacent warehouse units with two taprooms, the Haunt and Neon. The busier of the two was Neon on the day of my first visit which was was packed with people playing board games. They have 20 taps over both taprooms and a 50+ bottle / can selection. Super friendly service. Plenty of parking opportunities close by. One of the best brewery taprooms I’ve been to. No food on the day I was there but it was ok to bring your own or order in. Dog friendly.“

jmgreenuk 369 days ago

“Spent more time than planned because of train cancellations; as station pubs go, it was fairly decent.“

IPARater72 558 days ago

“Visited Maj 2008.“

fonefan 579 days ago

“Visited Maj 2012.“

fonefan 579 days ago

“Have visited this pub several times - always a pleasure to visit..“

fonefan 602 days ago

“Visited in May 2022. Rather spacious pub with a beer garden. Lare range of both cask and keg beers, lots of local breweries.“

omhper 702 days ago

“Lovely boozer on Reading's main drag with lots of characters, both amongst the staff and the crowd. Interesting rotating cask selection“

omhper 702 days ago

“Visited with Mark May 2022. Eventually tracked it down - it's an industrial unit hidden in a maze of Victorian terraces! It's spacious both inside and out, with plenty of seating scattered about rather haphazardly. The bar is on the right hand side as you go in - although that's fairly irrelevant as it's irritatingly table service only (either through an app, or by directly ordering from the efficient and friendly servers). You can get a sampler tray of a set five Phantom brews for £7.50 which is a bit of a bargain if like me you've not tried their beers previously (the five beers included do change each week and are always a variety of styles). Alternatively you can buy from the 15-odd taps (split between their own brews and guests) by the third or larger portions. There's also an interesting and aspirationally-priced can and bottle selection. Everything available is kept up-to-date on their website. Only about a half of the tables were filled on our Saturday afternoon visit; I don't know if the FA Cup final was drawing people away, but it seemed to lack atmosphere as a result (not that a spartan industrial warehouse unit is the most atmospheric place in the first place). Overall it was ok and I would go back occasionally (primarily for the taster tray).“

wheresthepath 704 days ago

“Hmmm. A bit of a treck but closer to the town centre than Double-barrelled, who I will compare them to. When this lot first opened I saw some local accused them of ripping off DB's tap set up and can see why. Both are large industrial units - here the bar is in a little room which has added to the side of the warehouse with a load of seating both in and outside of it. DB's bar area is slightly smarter. The Haunt seems like an after thought. A load of Phantom's beers on including what I guess is a cheaper set flight. Forget what it's called but since taking on the neighbouring unit they have a separate bar in the there. It's accessed via The Haunt and I don't it's always open. This has a large screen, sofas and the difference being it then has guest beers on. Even though I prefer DB - and not all the Phantom beers particularly impressed - it's certainly a decent set up. And was pretty popular. A good amount of people sat outside and then some people inside when with all the outside tables being used up.“

BeardedAvenger 746 days ago

“Visited several times, most recently in December 2021. It's an independent pizza place with craft beer. The pizzas are enormous; you seriously won't want to order a whole one unless you're sharing with a group. Fortunately you can order by the slice - I reckon 1 slice for lunch, 2 for dinner and 3 if you're starving - yes, they really are that big (although I'd say the emphasis is on quantity rather than quality)! If ordering by the slice you can choose different toppings on each slice. On the beer side, the tap options are rather pedestrian, being standard brews from the likes of Beavertown, Brixton and Lagunitas. The fridge has a better selection, with 20-30 different brews including (on my visit) a large range from Ascot and Siren. Service is variable, prices are about par for the area. Overall it's certainly not up with the premier beer destinations in Reading, but it's a good option if you need some carbs mid-pub crawl.“

wheresthepath 794 days ago

“A better than average selection of Polish beers.“

berkshirejohn 833 days ago

“Taproom with a smart industrial unit a few minutes walk from the station. Plenty of seating inside. There was a food pop-up outside. Perhaps 15 to 18 beers on tap available last Friday night. Mostly Phantom's own with a few guests. Third pours available. Friendly service.“

Cheeseboard 851 days ago

“Corner pub close to the railway station. A super uninspiring range of cask on offer the other day and the one I did choose was borderline vinegar. I'll not be rushing back“

Cheeseboard 852 days ago

“A large place, brewery and taproom, located in an industrial estate not more than 10-15 minutes walk from the train station in Reading. Eight of their own beers available on tap at our stay. Beer flight and growler fill options. Benches and long tables spread over the place. Friendly service and a good vibe on a Friday eve. (Visited with Finn 19.11.2021).“

Rune 890 days ago

“Large industrial taproom. Ab.10 of their own beers + a few guestbeers. Keg only.“

Finn 931 days ago

“Visited a couple of times.“

fonefan 948 days ago

“Review during Lockdown release phase 1, outdoor drinking only. There are a variety of tables, benches set up in the parking, delivery area at the front, some with gazebo's some without. The gazebo's tended to be the most dangerous part when gusts of wind blew them across hte seating area. It's basic drinking here, however an outdoor food stall was being set up for later. Service is prompt and friendly. Well worth a look if you are in the area at the right times.“

imdownthepub 1125 days ago

“Visit a few times.“

fonefan 1136 days ago

“Thank you wheresthepath for putting me on to this and you have nailed the description. It is a largish supermarket with the drinks section to the right. The beers are now mostly held behind the tills and you have to get one of the girls to show you the beers, luckily they are quite patient. There are a few interesting beers to go at, all Polish on my visit, which was okay with me as I'm trying to get Poland up to 100 rates. Worth popping in.“

imdownthepub 1329 days ago

“At the unfashionable end of Reading town centre lies this larger-than-average Polish shop, which I believe is part of a small chain. As with all Polish shops I've visited in the UK, there's interesting food to try, the deli counter looks and smells tempting, and the staff are always friendly. The beer selection (near the tills) is a little larger than most Polish shops (40-50 different brews), and includes some craft styles from Amber along with a notably high number of radlers. Overall, not a bad place; I'd go there again.“

wheresthepath 1655 days ago

“This is a traditional boozer in the centre of Reading by the makeshift market stalls. Chatty and friendly inside, warm and cozy on a cold winters afternoon. By all accounts there are more beers available at the weekend but there were 5 cask beers on during our visit. Loddon is an ever present then topped up from the Ei guest beer list, so nothing too ground breaking. The kegs are all macro brews. Not a beer destination pub but fits in on the way from The Alehouse to The Castle Tap.“

imdownthepub 1667 days ago

“Nice location on the Kennet Side, close to the Kennet and Avon Canal. Not more than 20 minutes walk from the central, pedestrian area, of Reading. Gives, indeed, a cottage-like impression with a medium-sized L-shape bar room in wooden interiors. Four cask ales and craft beers on keg and bottles. We had well kept ales from XT, Siren and Arbor. Tasty fish n' chips. Friendly service. British indie rock in the back, from Liam Gallagher among others. (Visited with Finn 24.10.2019).“

Rune 1668 days ago

“Medium-sized, modern BrewDog bar located downtown, about ten minutes walk from the railway station. They had 18 beers on tap from the ongoing Collabfest 2019, all of them available in thirds. Friendly, helpful, and informative service. British and American indie rock in the back. (Visited with Finn 20.10.2019).“

Rune 1675 days ago

“A cozy, medium-sized pub with a retro touch. The five cask ales are supported by craft beers on kegs, and a quite large bottle selection. Friendly and informative service. Live piano music, short-lived, followed by ska music in the back. Relaxing atmosphere. (Visited with Finn 20.10.2019).“

Rune 1676 days ago

“Packed with people watching Manchester United vs Liverpool on TV. We were lucky to find a table and two chairs and joined in singing both You'll never walk alone and the supporter tune for Ole Gunnars Team. Really good vibe in a pub that is located in a residential area just outside the central part of town. A proper freehouse with 12 cask ales, and just as many craft ales on the taps. Pulled pork for food. Friendly service. Excellent traditional British pub! (Visited with Finn 20.10.2019).“

Rune 1676 days ago

“The street corner pub can be seen right ahead from the exit of the train station. A freehouse with a bar serving two sections of the pub. Eight rotating cask ales, and quite a few craft beers on the taps. All the cask ales were new when we came back a few days later. Decorated with lots of pump clips. Traditional classic blues and soul music in the back. Relaxing Sunday feel. Polite service. (Visited with Finn 20.10.2019).“

Rune 1676 days ago

“A very pleasant revisited after many years. Not much has changed since I first visited the pub in March 2005, the pub was then called the Hobgoblin (my 2005-rating in BITE). Still the same dark wooden layout with the main barroom at the entrance leading up to a narrow corridor with a few cozy snugs. Decorated all over with pump clips. Well kept, rotating cask ales served from ten hand-pumps. Located straight down from the train station in the beginning (or end) of the pedestrian area in reading. Polite service. (Visited with Finn 20.10.2019).“

Rune 1676 days ago

“About five minutes walk from the train station. A central located standard spoons with ten cask ales, four of them from the ongoing autumn festival (last day at our visit). Unusual friendly and informative service. Decent traditional breakfast. Quite busy early on a Sunday before noon. (Visited with Finn 20.10.2019).About“

Rune 1676 days ago

“My longer review just disappeared on me so here's aabbreviated version. Based in a pretty large industrial unit the place appeared dead other than a couple of smokers sat in the benches outside. However when I opened the front door there was then a roar of chatter and this was about 6:30 on a Thursday evening. The place was packed for the Halloween event. 20-30 tables and benches (I was told that there were more than normal). A large bar with 13 taps and some large glass fronted fridges. For this event there was an extra keg machine set up on a table and a stall from the Grumpy Goat selling cheese boards. The staff were friendly but busy. My main concern was where to go with my drinks but I spotted one table with only a couple at it so sat there. A short while later a guy came and sat opposite where I was and speaking to him it turned out he was a regular. So ended up staying about 2 hours chatting to him, his girlfriend and another couple who ended up on the table. The owners came by thanking people they knew for coming. It just had a really warm positive atmosphere, possible helped by the candlelight. Really good array of beers from the brewery itself and the likes of Unity, Elusive, Glasshouse, Pohjala and Lervig. A similar array of breweries in the fridges. A great place. I've not been to that many one of the most impressive I've been to, even if it was a special event.“

BeardedAvenger 1679 days ago