The Alehouse, Reading

A bit of a labyrinth inside, with numerous cubbyholes each harbouring a small table and seats for 3 1\2 people. A bit of a bundle at the bar as well, with the staff doing what they can, with pre-Christmas once a year ale drinkers and cellaring duties to attend to. The pub's worth it for the range of ales (8?), all local-ish, and at reasonable prices - £4.80 for my pint of English IPA from a brewery I can't recall. The Alehouse, with it's battered interior seems a world away from the shopping focussed street outside. I probably could have timed my visit better, but I'd happily return.

As traditional as the name suggests, with rustic wooden furniture and panelling throughout the main room and the very small rear snugs, and pump clips as decoration on the ceiling and every free bit of wall space in the front bar. Also has a limited amount of seating out on the pedestrianised area out front. I found seven of the nine handpumps being used, offering a fine selection in a variety of styles, including the Batch's Pale Ale from the Dead Brewers Society (£4.40) as the 10,319th different real ale they've had on (if I understand the chalkboard correctly).