The Black Horse, Reading

Approaching this pub up a narrow country lane, I thought I'd taken a wrong turning. However, the pub appeared in front of me and I have to agree with Quinno that this is a classic country pub. Ales and ciders are listed on A4 sheets of paper on a wall which splits the bar in two. Four ales were on offer. Rebellion IPA & West Berkshire Good Old Boy are regulars, whilst guests were Timothy Taylor Landlord & South Oxfordshire Mr Toad's. Real ciders were both from Winkleigh in Devon - Sam's Poundhouse Crisp & Sam's Cloudy Crush. The latter was a new one for me and was definitely on the sweet side. All beers and ciders are fetched from the cellar and the pub has now succumbed to allowing card payments, presumably as a consequence of the pandemic. The main bar area was busy with a couple of groups of locals. A second adjacent room was also fully occupied. So, I found myself in the furthest room from the bar, where a group of people with their dogs were just in the process of moving outside, as the dogs were becoming a bit too boisterous. A drink was knocked over during the exodus, with a clear-up ensuing. Another table had 3 people playing some sort of fantasy game involving playing cards, which seemed far too complicated for my liking. There are tables out at the front, to enjoy the country air, whilst a peak outside into the rear garden revealed a couple of muddy ship chomping their way through the grass. Toilets are all outside. The gents is a simple wall to pee against. I'm not sure what provision there is for a number two! There is no sink. Although hand sanetiser is provided! Easily the best of 10 pubs I visited in Oxfordshire today and the only one to stock real cider.