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The Alehouse, Reading
Reading
RG1 2BH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Alehouse
Still one of the top pubs in Reading,still has regular beers from the West Berks Brewery , which to Be honest the excellent Maggs Mild aside, I can take or leave,but always a good range of guests on the other 5 pumps. The two Stouts tried in here yesterday,Hopback Entire Stout and particularly the Titanic Stout are among the best beers I've had the pleasure to drink this year,also several real ciders and perrys available,I treated myself to half of Kenny Cramps Double Vision Impaired Vision,wonderful but dangerous,the pub itself is described well in the review below, so just leaves me to say when in Reading its a must visit pub.
On 9th December 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1879 recommendations about 1852 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
dave stray left this review about The Alehouse
Exactly same as Hobgoblin just a different name.
On 29th April 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 265 recommendations about 183 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
picasso 09 left this review about The Hobgoblin
The Hobgoblin closes on 31/3/12 and reopens on 3/4/12 under the new name of the Alehouse,it will be just the same as before apart from a lick of paint and new name. It is with out doubt the best pub in central Reading,eight ales available plus several real ciders and perrys, a must visit pub .
On 29th March 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 14 recommendations about 14 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
dave stray left this review about The Hobgoblin
When does it change it's name?
On 7th March 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 265 recommendations about 183 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
dave stray left this review about The Hobgoblin
This pub is a must for Real Ale fans as the beer mats are everywhere and decorate this pub in a warm and comfortable manner, the seats are mostly hidden away but mean getting a private conversation is fairly easy. I look forward to seeing what it shall be like as the Alehouse.
On 11th January 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 265 recommendations about 183 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about The Hobgoblin
This has to be a must do pub if you are into good beer and are visiting Reading. Its amazing that this small and fairly unique pub has survived from being converted into a retail outlet considering its right in the shopping area of reading and right opposite the Oracle shopping centre. This long time favourite of ours has a small main bar and drinking area with even smaller booths / snugs towards the rear of the pub on the way to the 'outdoor' toilets although the outdoor bit is mostly covered over with plastic corrugated sheeting. Virtually all the walls and ceilings are covered with pump clips form the ales served here over the years. A good range of mainly local ales are available with normally a mild and a dark ale being available along with various ciders. Note that this is a mobile exclusion zone so make sure the ringtone is on silent unlike the first time I had a mobile phone on me and it started ringing as I walked into the pub!
On 9th January 2012
- rating: 10
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Wainnock ....... left this review about The Hobgoblin
Top pub, great choice of beers with a couple of West Berkshire ales supplemented by 4 or 5 guset beers.
On 22nd August 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 23 recommendations about 23 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
dave stray left this review about The Hobgoblin
Excellent and interesting range of real ales are reliable here. Situated around the pub are loads of beer mats representing many different breweries and their beers, both past and present. You'll find some amusing names! Lack of seating is an understatement. Quite a tight fit if you're going to get a seat but I can't see how this pub can hold that many people. Beer can be well over 3.30 for a pint as well.
On 1st August 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 265 recommendations about 183 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Hobgoblin
A rather shabby careworn interior, wooden floor, scruffy old tables, stools and benches. The walls and ceilings are literally covered with hundreds of beer mats, behind which the bits left showing are a dark nicotine brown, whether from age pre the smoking ban, or by design I don't know. Mobiles not to be used, an old tin John Smith's Magnet Ales sign, metal/rock from the juke box....not overly loud though.....and great beer.
The main bar has a real Boho/studenty feel, but step up to the raised area and follow the corridor round and there are a series of tiny individual booths, seating from three or four up to around six, in privacy. Most unusual.
The clientele are mixed, metalheads, biker types, students, beer fans but also shoppers and even me. Great selection on, my visit had, West Berkshire OldFather Thames, WB Dr Hexter's Wedding Ale, WB Mr Chubbs Lunchtime Bitter, Church End Stout Coffin, Burton Bridge Have a Heart, Ascot Alley Cat, Isle of Purbeck Harry's Harvest Pale, plus for cider fans, Westons Old Rosie, Perry and Vintage. There was also on draught something called Lovibonds Henley Gold and Henley Dark. A search reveals this to be a craft brewery, based obviously in Henley, but the beer is served from continental style fonts so I'm guessing that it is of the filtered keg or bright variety, but I could be wrong.
I loved the place, a very laid back anything goes/all welcome vibe, and I'll certainly be back some time when I have the chance to do a proper tour of Reading pubs.
On 6th February 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Hobgoblin
Perhaps the Hobgoblin has gone off the boil a bit compared with two or three years ago, don't get me wrong this is still in the top three of Reading pubs, is still quirky and still serving decent beer. It serves great beers from small breweries, notably West Berkshire, in great condition. The decoration is best described as idiosyncratic, pump clips and beer mats cover almost every available surface. Often packed to the rafters with the weird, the wonderful, and even the normal, but usually with fast and attentive service. Other than the beer, the pub is noted for lots of funny little spaces and fairly disgusting toilets. However it is a unique experience - don't miss it.
On 21st November 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3277 recommendations about 2983 pubs]