I’d only intended a couple of halves in Reading on Sunday night, being as you’ll know a moderate drinker, but CAMRA Chairmen can be very persuasive. Especially after a Duchesse de Borgogne in the Nag’s Head. So it was that I somehow found myself making a return to the Alehouse, which I guess is better… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – ALEHOUSE, READING
Tag: Berkshire
NO RATTING ON READING
An exciting couple of days to finish off Berks, Bucks and Oxon sections of the GBG (take that, BRAPA), and confirm that Reading really is a classic pub town. My definition probably isn’t yours; all I need is a minimum of three great pubs, a cheap hotel, and a decent Chinese takeaway. So add Reading to… Continue reading NO RATTING ON READING
“A HALF OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN”
I’m off to Dublin shortly, but don’t expect a string of posts comparing the craft keg against the Guinness*. I’m still recovering from Manchester. Thanks for your sympathy. Instead we’ll be doing the cultural trail, centred on University College Dublin with its famed literary alumni of Joyce, Flann O’Brien, and Kevin Moran. Flann (Brian to his… Continue reading “A HALF OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN”
LITTLEWICK GREEN KEEPS THE HOME FIRES BURNING
There’s a real possibility that BRAPA will complete Berkshire before me, and that won’t do at all. Regular readers will know that Maidenhead isn’t high on my list of great towns, though it’s worth a trip to the Conservative Club if you’re an American tourist with too positive a view of our fair isle. I’m… Continue reading LITTLEWICK GREEN KEEPS THE HOME FIRES BURNING
GBG SELECTION & READING ESTATE PUBS
I recommend you start the day with Pub Curmudgeon’s new post on beer quality. It’s a great summary of a complex issue, and a reminder of how easy it is for cask to lose ground on the bar, even when served competently. Mrs RM has converted to the higher strength KeyKeg and keg craft on our… Continue reading GBG SELECTION & READING ESTATE PUBS
GIVE SLOUGH A CHANCE
There is little better in life than planning a Monday pub visit, particularly one that includes black pudding and poached egg. Unfortunately, Eton‘s posh-looking George had clearly had enough of commoners ticking pubs and had closed especially for me. No warning on the web, no Twitter account, no Times announcement. I’ll be back, disguised like… Continue reading GIVE SLOUGH A CHANCE
THE REAL THEALE
As the song goes, “For each pound of joy, there’s an ounce of regret“, and for every trip to Newbury there’s one to Theale, one of our most bewildering large villages. You might assume West Berkshire is all horsey racing, drama societies and Good Old Boys. Theale, though, would be more at home as a… Continue reading THE REAL THEALE
NEW IN NEWBURY
I’m not saying Newbury is irritating, but its new (GBG-wise) micro was my only unticked Beer Guide entry within a thousand mile radius in the wild west of Berkshire. It is irritating that even BRAPA has been to the Cow & Cask before me. Simon was unusually kindly about it too, perhaps because the errant children had been… Continue reading NEW IN NEWBURY
GOOD OLD BOY BY THE THAMES
While the CAMRA revitalisation project debates the protection of pubs, I still view increasing the quality of beer in pubs, or not serving it at all, as the fundamental challenge. It’s the not serving it at all bit that many CAMRA members will struggle with. That said, beer quality has been impressive this year, though I do… Continue reading GOOD OLD BOY BY THE THAMES
NEWBURY IN THE DYING EMBERS OF DRYANUARY
A couple of days in Newbury to finish off Tryanuary, and a chance to see a town that left little impression in the past, bar some decent Arkells on the A4 and a recollection of a lockside Fullers pubs. The cheap, newish central Travelodge has free parking so they’re back in my good books. I had… Continue reading NEWBURY IN THE DYING EMBERS OF DRYANUARY
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