The Three Guineas, Reading

A handy watering hole to wait for a couple of our PG chums to start our Reading crawl. Glad to say we didn't have to wait too long at those prices. I suppose the novelty factor for Mrs A and myself was tasting the West Berkshire and Upham ales. A fabulous façade to this building, but once inside I wouldn't like the train service to be delayed.

You'd not be surprised if the pub adjacent to the station was a bit of a dive, but fortunately not this one. A good range of local ales, the usual lagers, plus a range of reasonably-priced food made this a fine place to meet. The good weather may well have helped, as there was a fair crowd outside, leaving plenty of room inside for sun-dodgers. As noted already, the main decor is a collection of rugby shirts hanging on every wall, although I also noted an impressive collection of health and safety notices and certificates near one of the doors - always a reassuring touch. Not a bad place, then, to wait between trains at the building site that is Reading Station currently. Having said that, the Guineas is, itself, being done up as I write and is expected to reopen at the end of July.

From a distance a far more impressive exterior than interior,it has the feel of a sports bar with three flat screens for sport and rather blinking departure details if you are in for a quick one before departing by train.As a wag on the crawl noted,maybe this pub should be called The Free Guiness,but no such luck on our trip,the eight handpumps were dispensing ale from West Berkshire (Dr Hexters Healer,Coronation Gold,Good Old Boy )and Upham (Punter,Stakes) with several handpumps doubled up.The condition of my Punter (£3.60) left something to be desired. Around the walls there are benches that looked as if they may have come from a waiting room,but what really catches the eye is the collection of rugby shirts around the ceiling.The bare floorboards complete the look,it may be fine for a swift one,but I was happy to move on.