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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 14th April 2024) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Shinfield Arms, Reading
Shinfield
Postal town: Reading
RG2 9BP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Shinfield Arms
Now called Shinfield Arms. No other changes. Usually 3 GK on.
August 2018
A huge amount of money has been spent here and it is impressive. There's now a massive rear undercover drinking area with booth seating. GK ales still on and mighty expensive; however the quality is usually pretty good.
November 2012
'Country pub' routine is ruined somewhat by bring slap-bang on the A327 and next to a busy section of the M4. A recent(ish) refit has seen the place go a bit more upmarket though keeping the nice beamed feel. Beer is Greene King, three of their obvious ones (OSH, IPA, Abbot) served fairly well but not really much to retain the interest beyond a pint really. I guess the selling point is the food, which I haven't tried. Trivia: built around ancient wisteria tree located to rear of the pub, believed to be oldest wisteria in the country.
On 24th December 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Black Boy
Greene King is renaming three pubs currently called The Black Boy, in Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and Shinfield, as well as the Black’s Head, in Wirksworth.
The renaming is part of Greene King’s strategy to champion equality and diversity within the company and further support people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Community groups are being notified ahead of an online poll shortly, so they can pick from a list of suggestions for each of the four pubs.
The decision to change the name follows detailed consultation with a range of stakeholders and thorough research of the pubs’ histories.
While the pub name ‘Black Boy’ exists throughout the country, there is not a consensus on its origins and many of those consulted felt the name to be offensive and discriminatory.
Greene King chief executive, Nick Mackenzie, said: “We have looked at pub deeds, consulted with colleagues, and while the origins of these pub names are obscure, what is clear is that there is a perception that they are linked with racism today and we want to make this positive change for the better.
“We know this is a decision that will attract a range of views and we’re conscious of the history and heritage of pub names. We’ve thought long and hard and feel this is the right thing to do. We’re keen to involve local people in this project and look forward to working with them to choose a new and inclusive name for these pubs so they remain at the heart of communities.”
On 16th January 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3724 recommendations about 3461 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Black Boy
Modernised foody pub, Greene King owned so I was prepared for disappointment on the ale front, it was good prep as the four handpumps offered up GK IPA, Belhaven Grand Slam , Yardbird and the intriguing (not) Black Boy Bitter 3.9 %, I had Guinness. Not a place I plan to return to in a hurry.
On 23rd March 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Black Boy
Not exactly made to feel welcome at this pub. Came in at 8:25 and asked if they were doing food. A curt check on the till and told to find my table and order at the bar.
I did this, and then realised that a) they have a restaurant around the back with table service and b) they had a specials menu that no-one told me about.
Got the feeling I was in the way.
Food was fine and service good. Thirsty after a walk, so had a Stella and cannot comment on the real ale.
On 9th July 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1337 recommendations about 1323 pubs]