The Swan (Greene King)
Visits Details
28 Feb 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
4th visit of Reading and its environs: More of a restaurant than a pub was this Greene King-owned Grade II-listed building, believed to date from the 17th century. Overlooking The Thames riverside with weir and adjacent lock upstream of Pangbourne toll bridge, it has an enviable location. Certainly full of diners on this early sunny Saturday afternoon. Not many just sampling the three cask ales on, including one renamed The Swan Best Bitter and a suggestion that it was brewed in Pangbourne by this name also on its pump clip, but the barman was quickly able to identify it as one of Greene King’s ales when asked. Friendly prompt service as it appeared to be largely table service for the diners. The pub has been nicely extended to its rear with oak beams and open fires to admire; its riverside terrace certainly affording pleasant views. Its bar is also to the rear and so affording those even at the bar to spectate the river outside. Its latest website is at the time of this visit: https://www.swanpangbourne.co.uk
| Windsor & Eton - Knight of the Garter | 3.80 |  | A very good head presented and with its lacing lasting superbly on this Windsor-brewed golden ale. A dry fruited first hit emanating from its American Amarillo whole leaf hops, giving rise to citrus and grapefruit hints. A hoppy bitterness rising with a maltiness winning over from its Maris Otter pale malt. A sweet zesty citrus-fruited hoppy note bounding out. A moreish hoppy dryness lingering. In good shape and so very palatable was this golden ale from this 2010-reincarnation of brewing in Windsor and for the first time since 1931. |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - The Swan - Best Bitter - Pangbourne | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
27 Jul 2016 (Jack William)
Evening for a rather good family meal. Not too busy - good to see the beers has been refreshed since Tuesday.
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Mosaic Pale | 3.20 |  | So tasty for a low alcohol ale. |
| Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Swift | 3.90 |  | |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Andwell - Resolute Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
26 Jul 2016 (Jack William)
Mid afternoon - sunny riverside terrace popular. Rather limited choice of ale.
| Windsor & Eton - Guardsman | 4.20 |  | Plain - but second pint grew on me |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Mosaic Pale | 3.20 | Not Tried | Poured 1/4 pint and was called off. |
13 May 2016 (ChrisE)
Lunchtime and busy with diners inside and outside on the terrace, we sat outside and enjoyed beers and sausage rolls. There were two cask ales on when we arrived and four by the time we left.
| Windsor & Eton - Brew 477 Bostin' Mild | 4.00 |  | |
| Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Swift | 3.90 |  | |
05 May 2013 (Stephen Harris)
Of the five pubs in Pangbourne, I chose this one for a lunchtime refresher on the grounds that it is the only one with river views. Unfortunately, the riverside terrace was ‘full’, and clearly earmarked for diners only. So I sat in the cool of the inside. Overall, a disappointing visit.
| Greene King - Morland Original | 4.00 |  | Branded here as house beer ‘The Swan’, the barman thought it was actually Morland Original. A rather bland, brown beer – served over-cold. |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Hardys & Hansons Olde Trip | 4.30 | Not Tried | |