The Rifle Volunteer, Emmbrook, Wokingham

This pub is situated on the northern outskirts of Wokingham towards Winnersh and the M4. It is a locals' pub, with a single square bar. A couple of mirrors - Courage & Fuller's gave some clues to its origins, but left you guessing. A range of 4 ales gave rise to optimism, with the regulars Fuller's London Pride & Sharp's Doom Bar joined by guests Stardust Optic & Arkell's Hoperation. We asked the landlord/barman what style of beer the guests were. But he couldn't tell us, as apparently he didn't drink them. A quick look around the room proved that turnover may not be that great, with most people on lagers or soft drinks. Both beers tasted ok. Further reading revealed that both were supposed to be hoppy, but instead they both had a caramel taste. I can normally tell a beer that is off or poured through dirty lines, but these two had me uncertain. A friendly enough local, but with a questionable ale quality, which may explain why it hasn't featured in the Good Beer Guide since 2010!