PubsandBeer
Nags Head (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney - American IPA |  | 1 |
| First Chop Brewing Arm - Sorachi Sunshine | | 1 |
| Indie Rabble - Phenomenon | | 1 |
| Celt Experience (now brands are owned by Evans Evans) - Chieftain Batch V: Citra | | 1 |
| Siren Craft - Proteus IPA v.II | | 1 |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - ¡No Pasarán! | | 1 |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Roadkill Opaque IPA | | 1 |
| Field +Theory - Foundry Amber Ale | | 1 |
| Celt Experience (now brands are owned by Evans Evans) - Pre-Prohibition IPA | | 1 |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | | 1 |
| New Wharf - Raspberry: American Cream Ale | | 1 |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Graveyard Eyes | | 1 |
| Binghams - Woodsmoke Porter | | 1 |
| Cloudwater - US Light Mosaic | | 1 |
| Sureshot - Whole Lotta Funk 45's - stout | | 1 |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - WW1 Centenary Beer | | 1 |
| Quantock - Wills Neck |  | 1 |
| Arbor Ales - My Little Sabrony | | 1 |
| Ascot - Ebony & Ivory | | 1 |
| Binghams - Hot Dog Chilli Stout | | 1 |
| Stonehouse - Guiding Light | | 1 |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | | 1 |
| Seven Bro7hers - EPA | | 1 |
| White Horse - The Guv'nor | | 1 |
| Tapstone - Voodoo Juice | | 1 |
| Castle Rock - Our House | | 1 |
| Nottingham - Rock Mild | | 1 |
| Almasty - Whole Cone Pale | | 1 |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Sunday League Relegation Playoffs – Home |  | 1 |
| Temperance Union - Ott Softy | | 1 |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Eldorado Session | Not Tried | 0 |
| Triple fff - Pressed Rat & Warthog | Not Tried | 0 |
| DEYA - Steady Rolling Man | Not Tried | 0 |
| Binghams - Coffee Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wild Weather - Wyld Stallyns | Not Tried | 0 |
| Salopian - Darwin's Origin | Not Tried | 0 |
| Double-Barrelled - Skyline | Not Tried | 0 |
| Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - 1/2 Mast, Quarter IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Waen - Cockney Translator | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Summerlands (was 3.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Maharaja IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| East London (ELB) - Foundation Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Boggart - Dark Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Priory Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fell - Quiet Batpeople | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mysterious (cuckoo at Little London) - Citra Triangle | Not Tried | 0 |
| East London (ELB) - Nightwatchman | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Asylum | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ilkley - Rombald | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wild Weather - Achievement Unlocked | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rooster's - Scoundrel Yorkshire Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Hopfest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Attila | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milestone - Oktoberfest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Aira | Not Tried | 0 |
| Field +Theory - Roots Modern Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Red Dawn Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Binghams - Vanilla Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sherfield Village - Pacific Jade | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ilkley - Lotus (please use other entry) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Arbor Ales - Pocket Rocket Session Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| East London (ELB) - Jamboree | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cromarty - Hit The Lip | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tiny Rebel - Dirty Perle | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Towns - OAP Double IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Indie Rabble - Space Ship | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - West Coast Red | Not Tried | 0 |
| Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Zenith | Not Tried | 0 |
| West Berkshire - Mr Chubb's Lunchtime Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sarah Hughes - Dark Ruby | Not Tried | 0 |
| Front Row - Tight Head - dark mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ascot - Aureole Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Liquid Mistress Red IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Moor - So'Hop | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Memento | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sunny Republic - Dune Raider | Not Tried | 0 |
| Gloucester - Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Crema Extrema Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - We Come in Peace | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Misty Woods | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bank Top - Dark Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Waen - A Message to You | Not Tried | 0 |
| Arbor Ales - The Ego Has Landed | Not Tried | 0 |
| Arbor Ales - Everyday People | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cheddar - Potholer | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tiny Rebel - Loki Light | Not Tried | 0 |
| Elusive - Cherrywood Road | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bearwood - Lens Flare | Not Tried | 0 |
| Saltaire - Cascade Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| New Wharf - England | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vaux - Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ascot - Starting Gate (formerly Alley Cat Ale) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cambrinus Craft - St. Anthony's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wild Weather - Welcome to the Crumble | Not Tried | 0 |
| Outhouse (Wokingham) - The Viscount | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marble - Chocolate Marble | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Sherbet | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Suspended in Motueka | Not Tried | 0 |
| Flowerpots - IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Three Castles - Saxon Archer | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
28 Feb 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
8th visit of Reading and its environs: A gem of a real ale establishment with a beer festival range of 12 real ales on and from the more localised micro-breweries than the average national brews on in the vast majority of pubs nationwide. Attentively prompt service for my early evening visit and packed full of real enthusiasts doing their best to keep the beer turning over. The odd low-level bar stool to be spotted and sat on aided the experience as quite a walk from the centre of Reading itself.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field +Theory - Foundry Amber Ale | 4.20 | | A very good head presented and lacing lasting well on this West Berkshire amber ale. A hoppy first hit with hints of caramel and roasted coffee. A gentle maltiness rising from specialty roasted or crystal malts typically found in this style with a toasty malty note prevailing. A dry fruited hoppiness from its classic British hops sailing downwards with a lingering bitterness overtaking its caramel flavouring. Certainly would not have hesitated having another given its good condition here but for a few more venues to squeeze in. The brewery's unique square fermentation method guides the yeast differently and compared to modern cylindrical tanks, creating what the brewery calls a "deeper, more nuanced character.” Field + Theory is a small-scale brewery based in West Berkshire, south of Wantage, at Mayfield Farm in Compton, approximately 23 miles north-west of Reading. They were incorporated in September 2025 and with the founders bringing over 20 years of brewing experience to the project. They prioritise heritage-driven recipes like their Foundry Amber Ale. |
| Flowerpots - IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| DEYA - Steady Rolling Man | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Double-Barrelled - Skyline | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Maharaja IPA | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Mysterious (cuckoo at Little London) - Citra Triangle | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Rooster's - Scoundrel Yorkshire Stout | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Field +Theory - Roots Modern Mild | 2.80 | Not Tried | |
| Arbor Ales - Pocket Rocket Session Pale Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Indie Rabble - Space Ship | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Tight Head - dark mild | 4.20 | Not Tried |
24 Oct 2025 (Magnus Greel)
This month's venue for our Friday Evening Group, we arrived a few minutes before 12.00 opening thus had the run of the pub for a short while before it started to get busy. Even from the start the beer selection was constantly updated to an extent where using Solari boards would have been more appropriate!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | | Smooth creamy coffee and chocolate nectar. |
| Sureshot - Whole Lotta Funk 45's - stout | 4.50 | | Smoky malty with hints of cherry. |
| Indie Rabble - Phenomenon | 3.80 | | Tropical fruits, citrus with a solid bitter backbone |
| Castle Rock - Our House | 3.40 | | Easy drinking with subtle notes of tropical fruit, citrus and pine on the nose |
| Stonehouse - Guiding Light | 4.50 | | Full bodied IPA with citrusy zest & subtle tropical depth. |
| Sarah Hughes - Dark Ruby | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Triple fff - Pressed Rat & Warthog | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Misty Woods | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Arbor Ales - Everyday People | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Bearwood - Lens Flare | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Vaux - Pale Ale | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Outhouse (Wokingham) - The Viscount | 4.20 | Not Tried |
08 Sep 2020 (Magnus Greel)
Probably the most Co-Vid compliant pub I've been to, no messing Landlord combining both sentry duties and table service with utmost efficiency. Garden area only available with seating allocated on arrival. Fair few groups about but plenty of space to occupy many more.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arbor Ales - My Little Sabrony | 5.00 | | Hazy rather full on tropical flavours for my taste |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | 4.20 | | Slight hints of an APA style beer |
| Triple fff - Pressed Rat & Warthog | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Salopian - Darwin's Origin | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Ascot - Starting Gate (formerly Alley Cat Ale) | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Summerlands (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Fell - Quiet Batpeople | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Wild Weather - Achievement Unlocked | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Aira | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Ilkley - Lotus (please use other entry) | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Five Towns - OAP Double IPA | 9.60 | Not Tried |
19 Jun 2018 (Stephen Harris)
I have most of the afternoon free in Reading after a meeting finishes early. There are, of course, a lot of ways of filling an afternoon in Reading. But somehow or other I end up spending most of it sitting in this pub. There are a remarkable number of other people present for whom this seems to be the best way of passing a lazy Tuesday afternoon.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Roadkill Opaque IPA | 6.50 | | A bitter, hoppy, fruity murk. |
| New Wharf - Raspberry: American Cream Ale | 4.00 | | It is creamy. And it certainly tastes of raspberries. The brewers are standing at the bar drinking it, so I feel obliged to be polite. |
| Almasty - Whole Cone Pale | 4.60 | | Hazy pale gold. Quite well-hopped with US Cascade. |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Sunday League Relegation Playoffs – Home | 4.00 | | A disappointingly thin, black Stout. Served in flat condition. |
| West Berkshire - Mr Chubb's Lunchtime Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Moor - So'Hop | 4.10 | Not Tried | This one ran out. |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - We Come in Peace | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Arbor Ales - The Ego Has Landed | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Cherrywood Road | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| New Wharf - England | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Wild Weather - Welcome to the Crumble | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Suspended in Motueka | 4.00 | Not Tried |
05 Oct 2016 (Stephen Harris)
Plenty of people in here of an early evening, partaking in the outstanding selection of cask beers (12 in total - I didn't get all the names).
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudwater - US Light Mosaic | 3.50 | | A particularly good beer that I was pleased to drink again. |
| First Chop Brewing Arm - Sorachi Sunshine | 4.10 | | Golden, with a slight haze. Very nice. Dry. Full-on hops. |
| Siren Craft - Proteus IPA v.II | 6.90 | | A hazy deep amber approaching brown colour. A strong, hoppy (Mosaic, Cascade, Chinook) IPA with some sweet and some caramel flavours too. |
| Tapstone - Voodoo Juice | 4.80 | | Brown in colour. An alarmingly turbid, muddy almost, pint. Very fruity. Tastes a lot better than it looks. |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Priory Mild | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Ilkley - Rombald | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Oktoberfest | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Sherfield Village - Pacific Jade | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Tiny Rebel - Dirty Perle | 5.50 | Not Tried |
09 Nov 2015 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. A veritable daily beer exhibition and such knowledgeable and keen staff to boot.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - WW1 Centenary Beer | 3.90 | | Initially put off to find a heavy caramel taste but it grew on me into a fine beer offering |
| Celt Experience (now brands are owned by Evans Evans) - Chieftain Batch V: Citra | 4.50 | | Superbly balanced single hopper which is moreish |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - ¡No Pasarán! | 5.00 | | Name means "They shall not pass" and the pumpclip refers to the Battle of Cable Street in 1936 |
| Celt Experience (now brands are owned by Evans Evans) - Pre-Prohibition IPA | 7.40 | | Just a half for the road (the roll of tarmac under my arm!!) |
| Nottingham - Rock Mild | 3.80 | | |
| Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Cambrinus Craft - St. Anthony's Ale | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Sherbet | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Eldorado Session | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Wild Weather - Wyld Stallyns | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Waen - Cockney Translator | 5.40 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | Not Tried |
17 Oct 2015 (Alenomore)
1300 visit. The undisputed No.1 pub in Reading for quality Craft, Foreign and Hand pulled Real Ales. Here to visit the Madejski, for the Royal's v CAFC game, with a special bus running from the pub. Very busy with TV's blaring, Prem. footy one end, and World Cup Rugby t'other plus music in the middle of all the surrounding chatter/noise. This pub appeals to a very diverse crowd, but overall, must be considered a worthy top pub.
Big selection of all types on at the bar.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperance Union - Ott Softy | 1.00 | | £1.90 for a small Coke. |
16 Nov 2014 (Stephen Harris)
Late afternoon visit. Quite busy. Roast potatoes on the bar on a help yourself basis. Usual excellent beer selection.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascot - Ebony & Ivory | 4.50 | | A dark brown Porter. |
| Seven Bro7hers - EPA | 4.80 | | A full-bodied, golden beer. |
| Boggart - Dark Mild | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Asylum | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Attila | 7.50 | Not Tried | |
| Binghams - Vanilla Stout | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Cromarty - Hit The Lip | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Zenith | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Liquid Mistress Red IPA | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Gloucester - Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Crema Extrema Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Waen - A Message to You | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Tiny Rebel - Loki Light | 4.50 | Not Tried |
17 Oct 2013 (Stephen Harris)
Late afternoon/early evening visit after meetings in Reading. I sat in a corner minding my own business.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Graveyard Eyes | 4.50 | | A black porter, heavily-hopped with lemony/sherbet Sorachi Ace. |
| Binghams - Woodsmoke Porter | 5.00 | | Very nice, black, smoky, fruity porter. |
| Hackney - American IPA | 6.00 | | Amber-coloured, strong, fruity IPA. They must have squeezed a lot of juicy US hops to get this much tropical fruit flavour. |
| Bank Top - Dark Mild | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Cheddar - Potholer | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Saltaire - Cascade Pale Ale | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Ascot - Starting Gate (formerly Alley Cat Ale) | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Marble - Chocolate Marble | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Three Castles - Saxon Archer | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Binghams - Coffee Stout | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| East London (ELB) - Foundation Bitter | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - 1/2 Mast, Quarter IPA | 2.80 | Not Tried |
05 Aug 2013 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantock - Wills Neck | 4.30 | | |
| Binghams - Hot Dog Chilli Stout | 5.00 | | |
| White Horse - The Guv'nor | 6.50 | | Sweetness hides the strength |
| Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| East London (ELB) - Foundation Bitter | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| East London (ELB) - Nightwatchman | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Hopfest | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Red Dawn Mild | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| East London (ELB) - Jamboree | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Bristol Beer Factory - West Coast Red | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ascot - Aureole Ale | 3.30 | Not Tried | |
| Sunny Republic - Dune Raider | 5.00 | Not Tried |
About the Nags Head
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 40 |
| 32 |
| 16 |
 | 2 |
The pub is found in Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7XD.
Excellent single roomed pub just out of the city centre in Russell Street (no more than 10 minutes walk) with 13 handpumps, 1 of which usually carries a local cider. These dispense a wide range of beers, mainly from local breweries although odd ones from further afield creep in. A mild is always on and also a stout or porter. Good value food is also available at certain times. Blackboards above the bar identify the next beer for each handpump - showing a high degree of logistical organisation here.
We have visited this pub 29 times, seen 216 different beers and tried 90 of them.
Postcode: RG1 7XD