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The Elephant (Blue Belts Hospitality)

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Good Old BoyGood1
Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Maharaja IPAGood1

Visits Details

28 Feb 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
3rd visit of Reading and its environs: Ticking over on my visit with some drinkers on the stools at the bar and in some seating areas around the bar for my early afternoon visit. Warm, friendly service and a quiet relaxed atmosphere and with an open fire aglow down the far end. The place is superbly furnished and following Babar, the King of the Elephants, theme in prints displayed adorning the walls.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Good Old Boy4.00Good1st beer of this visit: Just a sample and to follow my visit to the Pangbourne Club where it was in its keg version. Displaying a good head with its lacing lasting on this copper gold-coloured best bitter and first brewed in 1995 when it was formerly produced by West Berkshire Brewery. A fruited malty first hit. A hoppy bitterness rising with hints of citrus, floral and pine flavours from its Bramling Cross and Northdown hops. A sweet maltiness joining in from its Maris Otter malted barley lending it a caramelised biscuity flavouring. An infusion of hedgerow fruit flavours including red and black berries tantalising my taste buds. A dry fruited bitterness sailing out.
Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Maharaja IPA5.10Good2nd beer of this visit: A very good frothy head and lacing lasting well on this deep amber-coloured Maharaja IPA. A very tropical fruited first hit. A hoppy fruitiness jumping up with New World hops, most likely Citra, Mosaic and Galaxy, delivering tropical fruit, mango and mandarin notes. A dry hoppy and resinous bitter note winning over the fruits. A hop-infused fruity finish with hints of citrus, orange and pine lingering. Perfectly palatable as served in very good condition.

About The Elephant

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent-
Good2
Acceptable-
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8 7AR.

Situated in the heart of Pangbourne in Church Road, this 19th century hotel had a 40-year spell as The Copper Inn between 1967 and 2007. Its original name, The Elephant, was then restored along with the building with its mock-Tudor exterior. It very much has an Indian theme throughout but its cuisine follows the steak theme as on a visit in February 2026. For real ale drinkers, you can just turn up in the hotel bar offering two local cask ales, Renegade Brewery’s Maharaja IPA and Good Old Boy Best Bitter on cask. It has 22 guest rooms each with handcrafted Indian furniture, oriental rugs and delicate fabrics. Dog-friendly throughout. The freehold owner is Blue Belts Hospitality behind running hotel and bed and breakfast services. A giant metal elephant stands outside to greet you and a sizeable wooden one is there in the hallway to do likewise. The bar as you enter is on your right and named Babar, after the character of a famous series of French children's books and animated television shows referring to Babar, the King of the Elephants.

We have visited this pub once, seen 2 different beers and tried both.

Map location

Postcode: RG8 7AR