Sweeney & Todd, Reading

From the front it looks like an ordinary pie shop, although the sign says “famous pies... fine wines... real ales”; once inside the door the bar and dining area is still partially hidden by screens and curtains. Carry on up a short flight of stairs and you reach the bar with its four beer engines carrying Adnams Bitter, York Ghost, 6X and Tanglefoot, a little less boring keg range from Peroni and Becks plus Stowford Press cider. I chose the Adnams as I've not had it for a while and was not disappointed by the condition, taste or quality of the ale. To the side, front and back are tables and chairs for the consumption of the delicious pies, you need to ask which fillings are available when you order as it does vary from the menu. There is a larger dining room further back. You can drink here as a non diner but I guess that would defeat the object of visiting. Decorated in a fairly conventional style, Constable prints, pictures of old Reading, framed awards and brewery mirrors there are also some interesting theatrical ephemera. Mixed bunch of customers although my evening was enlivened by a couple of 12 year olds from the BBC, listeners of Ed Reardon's week will understand the cruel truth of that.