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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
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The Maiden's Head, Maidenhead
Maidenhead
SL6 1JN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Maiden's Head
A fairly typical high street pub setup, opened out and roomy, smart and clean but not over sterile. A steady flow of people were in and out of the pub without it ever being busy on a late Friday lunchtime. Four handpumps on the bar with three in use all from Rebellion, Smuggler, Adventurer and my pick of overthrow which gave a fair account of itself. Rather impressively as I was being served the lady asked if I was a CAMRA member with the result of a discounted pint of £4.45.Not my go to style of pub but decent enough and certainly worth looking in for a pint.
On 15th January 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Maiden's Head
Oddly quiet on my Saturday afternoon visit. Three cask on; my Stardust was a bit hazy, not sure whether it was meant to be or not and unusually Untappd didn't give many clues so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Otherwise, pretty much unchanged since the last scribe four years ago. Continues to be GBG listed.
May 2018
Seems to be picking up a fair bit. A slightly hazy visit found four ales on, and my pint of Stardust (who provide the house brew) was in pretty good shape. Worth venturing in now. Rated 7
March 2015
Formerly the music-centred Hobgoblin, this has been de-branded and redecorated. It’s quite light and modern inside now, though part of the charm has gone with the removal of the old music posters/flyers but the layout remains the same. A mess at the bar - most of the ales off or ran out. The beer board behind the bar was seriously out-of-kilter with what was actually happening the business end of things. Ended up with a half of Proper Job that the barman thought was Fullers Jack Frost. At least it was fairly drinkable, though not of the high standard I know a really well looked after drop of this beer can be. Noted some decent bottles in the fridge and I suspect that’s where I’d head to next time. Needs to up its game; in a town lacking a good stock of decent pubs, they’re missing a trick.
June 2011 (as Hobgoblin)
Given the interior décor – gig and film posters – I expect this place is usually a hangout for the local areas alternative scene, though none were obviously in evidence on our Saturday afternoon visit; in fact, beyond me and RB, there were only two other people. The interior is fairly modern and smart, to the front there is a raised area with a couple of comfy sofas that catch the afternoon sunshine that looked like the prime location. Further back, past the bar on the left, is a back area where it looks like bands and DJ’s may well get set up on a weekend, containing a few more sofas which I imagine get shoved out of the way and a pool table. There’s a functional beer garden at the rear, with yet-to-be-grown-over trellising and a couple of cheeky gargoyles peering over from side of the rear door. Amongst the large ultra-modern keg fonts (including Peetermans) there were four ales on the go – GK IPA, Doom Bar, Hobgoblin and Bass. My Hobgoblin wasn’t too bad. Landlord was a chatty Brummie. As Roger says below, I would imagine this is very much and evening pub. Whilst I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit again, it’s worth taking in on a crawl for the novelty value of the posters and gargoyles. Rated 6
On 20th April 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Hobgoblin
Whilst in Maidenhead Town centre for the first time in ages took the opportunity to look up the Hobgobblin, which used to be one of the more reliable places in town for a decent pint of ale.
Definitely seems a bit brighter, and a bit younger crowd than I remember but that may be due to there being live music on when I visited.
Unfortunately the beer choice was not as I remember it and out of the four hand pumps only two were functioning and one of these went off with the guy in front of me, leaving only Hobgobblin on.
So with the Bear now dispensing a decent pint I’ll be leaving this one to the students in future.
On 8th July 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Hobgoblin
Originally called the Red Lion, the Hobgoblin is the typically studentish type of pub that is generally associated with the chain.
The interior is quite modern with bare floors, tiled around the bar area, a slightly raised area to the front and a section to one side containing a pool table numerous posters and memorabilia from past Reading Festivals. A patio garden to the rear seemed pleasant enough with a large overhead trellis (note also the gargoyles peering from the wall tops).
There were 3 ales for our visit, Doom Bar, Hobgoblin and Greene King IPA and a further unused pump.
The pub was pretty quiet on our Saturday lunchtime visit but the landlord/manager was quite chatty although I suspect Friday/Satrday nights get pretty lively. There was no sign of Bob, the pub’s ghost but the pub cat was quite active prowling around but showing little need for any attention.
At the right time the place is fine for a couple of pints but when quiet it is a bit hollow and when busy I can imagine it being a bit unbearable.
On 5th May 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]