Great Expectations (Dickens)

No Longer In Business

Large pub just outside the city centre. Uninspiring range of beer. Didn't try their own beers so can't comment on whether they are any good or not

Visited Monday February 27, 2017.
Got there around 5.15 pm or so, stayed for three half pints. They had 3 of their own beers on this evening, all on cask/real ale. Also quite a few other beers, but I was mainly there to sample their own. Located on a rather busy corner, but didn’t notice once inside. Feels cozy and sort of traditional inside. The small brewery is setup visible by the one wall. Nice service. 10 min walk from our hotel, fairly close to the center.

A nice atmosphere and setting. But as others confirm beers are well below par which is a pity. I wonder if they use a "techno" brew kit or just dont know how to brew!

This is an odd one, all the feel and atmosphere of a Victoriana Museum. The pub is large and rangy, separated into themed areas with a rather tenuous link to Charles Dickens, the building was once used as reading rooms. Despite the best efforts of the chirpy, friendly staff, the atmosphere is flat, much like the on site beer range. On my visit the only ales available were their own, which was ok for me as that was the purpose of my visit. There is a bank of standard kegs and a rather weird, and revolting, cider advertising set up. Been there now, will not need to go back.

A sprawling pub with a manufactured Victorian environment. This place evidently makes their own beers; unfortunately, the two house beers I had were quite poor. Beyond the house beers, they have macro kegs and lots of intro-level craft in bottles. Friendly staff. Average prices. Definitely not a must-visit if you are in Reading, although it would almost certainly be good for a couple of scoops.

Distinctly odd theme pub laid out inside like a Victorian street - the tables are hidden away inside the "shops". Now have 4 casks beers from the new in-house brewery (Dickes) plus another couple of guest beers. Interesting collection of 20 or so bottles on the drinks menu, which are not your "usual" craft bottle offering (although nothing too rare). The food is poshed-up pub grub but is well-cooked, tasty & good value considering the huge portions. Located well away from the main town centre drag you wouldn’t expect this concept pub to survive, but it’s been here for many years now. Uniquely for a theme pub it works, and is strangely comfortable and compelling. I like it.

A cavernous themed pub that now has its own brewing equipment - The Dickens Brewery - producing reasonable beers, and also several unusual keg and bottled beers. Certainly worth the short trip from the centre of Reading while the brewery is in operation.

The closest pub to my office, so probably the one I visit most often in Reading. Quirky and spacious interior, with something of a Dickens obsession. Usually 3 cask ales on, including one from a local-ish brewery. Beer condition is variable at best, but often quite poor. Has been noticeably better recently. Food is good bar snacks: sandwiches, chips and the like. Staff are friendly, but they recognise us all by now.