The Alehouse, Reading

Another enjoyable visit on Sat. I've already done a review so here's just a list of what was on offer on handpump: West Berkshire's Maggs Mild, Leaning Lord, Mr Chubbs, also Coastal Angelina, Hereford Spinning Dog, Cotswold Olde English Rose, Little Valley Gustibus, Marlow Rebellion Mutiny, Westons Perry. Worth a visit? I think so. 27 September 2007 Managed to squeeze in few halves at The Hobgoblin after an afternoon at the Nag's Head, and glad I did. Attached praise persuaded me it wasn't one of the awful Wychwood creations such as the one nr Brixton and, although it must have a Wych history (see the ugly goblinesque caricature behind the bar, no not the barmaid – she was lovely), it was fortunately a different concern altogether. Things are a bit hazy but I believe there were 8 handpumps, happily all unusual suspects, and those I tried were all good. Away from the bar the pub itself is a little maze of nooks & crannies, some so small that the addition of a curtain here & there might make you think you were in a walk-thru confessional. Come, cleanse your soul, & have a good few beers whilst you're at it!

A well reviewed, traditional town pub which seemed little changed from my last visit, when it was The Hobgoblin, some twenty years previous. The place is very small and very woody and, on our Friday evening visit, very full. Beers on were: Dancing Duck Wot the Duck, Indigenous Double Warp, WBB Maggs Magnificent Mild and Dr Hexters Healer, Oakleaf Hole Hearted and Derventio Cleopatra. Everything tried was reported to be in decent shape and it's a wide selection although nothing immediately jumped out and demanded to be drunk. It's atmospheric and stocks a good beer selection. Two good reasons for a revisit.

Official site of The Alehouse - www.the-alehouse-reading.co.uk

Official site of The Alehouse - www.the-alehouse-reading.co.uk