The Last Crumb, Reading

This is a detached Brakspear pub, with patio area. The pub is mainly in Georgian style, with its brick pilaters and entablature. It has a front gable and large chimney stacks. It is in cream brick, with white cornice and corbels. I believe there has been a pub on the site since at least 1841. The interior has just recieved a refurbishment, which, as Mr Duck says, lay heavy in the air. It is irregular in shape, with one side of the chocolate painted wood bar given over to a pool area that houses a Wurlitzer jukebox (the music was general and of a decent level). A separate area is really given over to foody tables. The decor is one that promoted some discussion; purple, white, coffee, green patterned wallpaper and some fakey wood panel. Mixed pictures adorn the walls, including one of the sinking of the POW by the Japanese. There are also a couple of fireplaces. A TV is on the wall, which was showing something or other. The service was friendly enough and a few locals seemed to be in. Beer; usual tap stuff with Brakspear's Bitter and Gold - the Gold was too warm, so they pulled a fresh half for me - which was better. The landlady admitted there were teething problems with the cellar. A visit made very special by the fly-past of a Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane as we approached. I was happy enough to pop in for one (mainly as the alternative was a Spoons and Mr Hatter paid!).

The Prince of Wales was fresh from a refurbishment on my visit last Saturday,so fresh the smell of paint was still in the air and as a result the pub felt a little clean and clinical for my tastes,I,m sure it will weather with age.Exploring round to the rear of the pub I discovered some steps that led to an elevated beer garden level with the top floor of the building as it is set slightly into a hill, beyond this over the fence was the local allotments.Still a Brakspear's pub the only choice's were Brakspears Bitter and Oxford Gold, I had the Gold which was in fair condition despite the extreme temperatures of the day ,approaching 33 degrees,and some apparent teething problems in the cellar.An average pub and will not be high on my list to return to particularly as the beers on offer do not excite.