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Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Saturday, 29th October 2022
With picture contributions to 5000 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Castle Tap, Reading
Reading
RG1 7RJ
Served areas
Reviews of The Castle Tap (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Castle Tap
Quirky pub set among the faded Georgian spendour on the wrong side of the ring road,it has a very high ceiling ,L shaped interior with a mix of furniture,pew benches,small sofa,upright piano,two darts boards at right angles and a substantial library to the side of the fireplace.The bar is at the rear left and has a fine mirrored bar back.The soundtrack was heavy metal and punk but played at a sensible volume when the pub is quiet ,as it was on my Friday 4pm visit just after opening.
There is a community feel here,with events such as open mic,sea shanties,story telling and so on.
There is a TV room in a seperate shed like structure out the back which then leads to a beer garden of sorts.The screen is large but off during my visit,while the shed was dark and a bit gloomy.
Three real ale in St Austell Proper Job,White Horse Bitter and Dynamite Valley Ambrys (A malty mess in poor nick,NBSS 1.5).There was a single handpump for a real cider,goosberry flavoured plus 4 other ciders advertised but I should have investigated the craft keg options before plumping for a poor real ale.There were 9 keg beer options,7 over 5%ABV with some eclectic styles from respected craft keg brewers.
Swerve the cask,focus on the keg for which it's a decent stop on the way to the Nags.
On 22nd July 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Castle Tap
The cask doesn't really shift these days. I've switched to the fridge in which there are some decent Euro choices.
September 2015
Taken on by a combo of ex-Alehouse staff and the Grumpy Goat offy ladies. Has been refurbished inside in tasteful blue tones and now has an additional TV room to the rear (no TVs in the main bar). A number of cask and key kegs available as well as well-sourced wines. Five minutes from the Nags so and a no-brainer to drop into if you're on the wrong side of the IDR.
Feb 2013
Small little watering hole, that has seen some much-needed improvements under the management of the bloke from the (now-ex) Claddagh Ring (and now the very-closed Kennet Arms). Aimed mainly at the Irish side, the interior is fairly functional but fits in a dart board and a real fire in winter. One or two ales on the go at the small bar (Altons or GK IPA are normally on) usually in good-to-middling condition. Live music and loud football are often the order of the day in here. Good to see it surviving.
On 28th February 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Castle Tap
Visited 23.4.21. First visit to this pub which was ever so friendly. Opens at 6pm most weekdays, but we were lucky as Friday is 3pm Sat and Sun 12 noon. Walk ins ok and we got a table at the rear. Their beer are listed on the Untappd venues app, but there is a beer board on the wall too. We chose cask Portobello Spring Ale and Grey Trees Drummer Boy, and draft Wild Weather Cephaloped 12% wow fantastic, and Electric Bear I can't believe it's next Tuesday 8%. These 2 draft beers, both stouts were our beers of the day. All beers good though and payment by card.
On 24th April 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
View more reviews of The Castle Tap (8)
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- Official site of The Castle Tap - thecastletap.co.uk
- Facebook - Castle Tap
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Castle Tap - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 27 February 2015 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 27 February 2015 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : Yes - Sept - last updated 20 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 20 September 2015 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 20 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Car Park : Yes last updated 20 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : No last updated 20 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Darts : Yes last updated 27 February 2015 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 20 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Function Room : Yes - rear room - last updated 20 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 02 March 2015 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 27 February 2015 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 27 February 2015 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 20 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 27 February 2015 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 27 February 2015 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : No last updated 20 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 27 February 2015 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 27 February 2015 by Quinno _
