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Nags Head (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Binghams - Woodsmoke PorterExcellent1
Wentworth - Chocolate & Chilli StoutExcellent1
Cloudwater - US Light MosaicExcellent1
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - WW1 Centenary BeerExcellent1
Hackney - American IPAExcellent1
First Chop Brewing Arm - Sorachi SunshineExcellent1
Triple fff - Citra SonicExcellent1
Celt Experience (now brands are owned by Evans Evans) - Chieftain Batch V: CitraExcellent1
Siren Craft - Proteus IPA v.IIExcellent1
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - ¡No Pasarán!Excellent1
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Roadkill Opaque IPAExcellent1
Celt Experience (now brands are owned by Evans Evans) - Pre-Prohibition IPAExcellent1
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Graveyard EyesExcellent1
New Wharf - Raspberry: American Cream AleExcellent1
Ascot - Multi HopExcellent1
Nottingham - Rock MildGood1
Almasty - Whole Cone PaleGood1
Quantock - Wills NeckGood1
Ascot - Ebony & IvoryGood1
Arbor Ales - My Little SabronyGood1
Binghams - Hot Dog Chilli StoutGood1
Binghams - Smiled - Smoked MildGood1
Seven Bro7hers - EPAGood1
Siren Craft - LuminaGood1
White Horse - The Guv'norGood1
Tapstone - Voodoo JuiceGood1
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Sunday League Relegation Playoffs – HomeAcceptable1
Wild Weather - SundownerAcceptable1
Temperance Union - Ott SoftyAcceptable1
Tiny Rebel - Dirty PerleNot Tried0
Five Towns - OAP Double IPANot Tried0
Hop Back - Summer LightningNot Tried0
Ascot - Aureole AleNot Tried0
Siren Craft - Liquid Mistress Red IPANot Tried0
West Berkshire - Mr Chubb's Lunchtime BitterNot Tried0
Triple fff - Alton's PrideNot Tried0
Sunny Republic - Dune RaiderNot Tried0
Gloucester - GoldNot Tried0
Moor - So'HopNot Tried0
Frome (formerly Milk Street) - Zig Zag StoutNot Tried0
Bank Top - Dark MildNot Tried0
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Crema Extrema PorterNot Tried0
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - We Come in PeaceNot Tried0
Art Brew - Hip Hop Green BulletNot Tried0
Cheddar - PotholerNot Tried0
Waen - A Message to YouNot Tried0
Arbor Ales - The Ego Has LandedNot Tried0
Loddon - Summer SnowflakeNot Tried0
Saltaire - Cascade Pale AleNot Tried0
Tiny Rebel - Loki LightNot Tried0
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)Not Tried0
Elusive - Cherrywood RoadNot Tried0
Sherfield Village - Solo Green BulletNot Tried0
Ascot - Starting Gate (formerly Alley Cat Ale)Not Tried0
Cambrinus Craft - St. Anthony's AleNot Tried0
New Wharf - EnglandNot Tried0
Wentworth - WPANot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Old School MildNot Tried0
Marble - Chocolate MarbleNot Tried0
Pig & Porter - SherbetNot Tried0
Wild Weather - Welcome to the CrumbleNot Tried0
Castle Combe (formerly Braydon) - YerTizNot Tried0
West Berkshire - Maharajah’s IPANot Tried0
Three Castles - Saxon ArcherNot Tried0
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Eldorado SessionNot Tried0
Siren Craft - Suspended in MotuekaNot Tried0
Triple fff - Ramble Tamble (previously 4.6%)Not Tried0
Chiltern - CobblestonesNot Tried0
Binghams - Coffee StoutNot Tried0
Wild Weather - Wyld StallynsNot Tried0
Triple fff - Pressed Rat & WarthogNot Tried0
XT Brewing - No. 8 Dark RoastNot Tried0
Crouch Vale - Brewers GoldNot Tried0
Siren Craft - 1/2 Mast, Quarter IPANot Tried0
Waen - Cockney TranslatorNot Tried0
Salopian - Darwin's OriginNot Tried0
Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - May Bee MildNot Tried0
East London (ELB) - Foundation BitterNot Tried0
Boggart - Dark MildNot Tried0
Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast StoutNot Tried0
Vibrant Forest - Summerlands (was 3.5%)Not Tried0
East London (ELB) - Quadrant Oatmeal Stout (now please use 5.5% entryNot Tried0
East London (ELB) - NightwatchmanNot Tried0
Oakham - AsylumNot Tried0
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Priory MildNot Tried0
Fell - Quiet BatpeopleNot Tried0
Siren Craft - Under CurrentNot Tried0
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - HopfestNot Tried0
Oakham - AttilaNot Tried0
Ilkley - RombaldNot Tried0
Wild Weather - Achievement UnlockedNot Tried0
White Horse - Black BeautyNot Tried0
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Red Dawn MildNot Tried0
Binghams - Vanilla StoutNot Tried0
Milestone - OktoberfestNot Tried0
Vibrant Forest - AiraNot Tried0
Bowman - WarblerNot Tried0
East London (ELB) - JamboreeNot Tried0
Cromarty - Hit The LipNot Tried0
Sherfield Village - Pacific JadeNot Tried0
Ilkley - Lotus (please use other entry)Not Tried0
Ascot - Emperor Penguin PorterNot Tried0
Bristol Beer Factory - West Coast RedNot Tried0
Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - ZenithNot Tried0
Picture 1. Nags Head, Reading, Berkshire

Visits Details

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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Arbor Ales - My Little Sabrony5.00GoodHazy rather full on tropical flavours for my taste
Siren Craft - Lumina4.20GoodSlight hints of an APA style beer
Triple fff - Pressed Rat & Warthog3.80Not Tried
Salopian - Darwin's Origin4.30Not Tried
Ascot - Starting Gate (formerly Alley Cat Ale)3.80Not Tried
Vibrant Forest - Summerlands (was 3.5%)3.40Not Tried
Fell - Quiet Batpeople4.50Not Tried
Wild Weather - Achievement Unlocked4.20Not Tried
Vibrant Forest - Aira4.50Not Tried
Ilkley - Lotus (please use other entry)5.50Not Tried
Five Towns - OAP Double IPA9.60Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Roadkill Opaque IPA6.50ExcellentA bitter, hoppy, fruity murk.
New Wharf - Raspberry: American Cream Ale4.00ExcellentIt 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 Pale4.60GoodHazy pale gold. Quite well-hopped with US Cascade.
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Sunday League Relegation Playoffs – Home4.00AcceptableA disappointingly thin, black Stout. Served in flat condition.
West Berkshire - Mr Chubb's Lunchtime Bitter3.70Not Tried
Moor - So'Hop4.10Not TriedThis one ran out.
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - We Come in Peace4.60Not Tried
Arbor Ales - The Ego Has Landed4.80Not Tried
Elusive - Cherrywood Road3.80Not Tried
New Wharf - England5.00Not Tried
Wild Weather - Welcome to the Crumble5.50Not Tried
Siren Craft - Suspended in Motueka4.00Not 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).
BeerABVScoreNotes
Cloudwater - US Light Mosaic3.50ExcellentA particularly good beer that I was pleased to drink again.
First Chop Brewing Arm - Sorachi Sunshine4.10ExcellentGolden, with a slight haze. Very nice. Dry. Full-on hops.
Siren Craft - Proteus IPA v.II6.90ExcellentA hazy deep amber approaching brown colour. A strong, hoppy (Mosaic, Cascade, Chinook) IPA with some sweet and some caramel flavours too.
Tapstone - Voodoo Juice4.80GoodBrown 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 Mild3.50Not Tried
Ilkley - Rombald4.60Not Tried
Milestone - Oktoberfest4.20Not Tried
Sherfield Village - Pacific Jade4.70Not Tried
Tiny Rebel - Dirty Perle5.50Not Tried
09 Nov 2015 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. A veritable daily beer exhibition and such knowledgeable and keen staff to boot.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - WW1 Centenary Beer3.90ExcellentInitially 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: Citra4.50ExcellentSuperbly balanced single hopper which is moreish
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - ¡No Pasarán!5.00ExcellentName 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 IPA7.40ExcellentJust a half for the road (the roll of tarmac under my arm!!)
Nottingham - Rock Mild3.80Good
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)3.40Not Tried
Cambrinus Craft - St. Anthony's Ale5.20Not Tried
Pig & Porter - Sherbet4.20Not Tried
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Eldorado Session4.00Not Tried
Wild Weather - Wyld Stallyns4.30Not Tried
Waen - Cockney Translator5.40Not Tried
Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout6.50Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Temperance Union - Ott Softy1.00Acceptable£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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ascot - Ebony & Ivory4.50GoodA dark brown Porter.
Seven Bro7hers - EPA4.80GoodA full-bodied, golden beer.
Boggart - Dark Mild4.00Not Tried
Oakham - Asylum4.50Not Tried
Oakham - Attila7.50Not Tried
Binghams - Vanilla Stout5.00Not Tried
Cromarty - Hit The Lip3.80Not Tried
Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Zenith3.70Not Tried
Siren Craft - Liquid Mistress Red IPA5.80Not Tried
Gloucester - Gold3.90Not Tried
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Crema Extrema Porter5.00Not Tried
Waen - A Message to You4.20Not Tried
Tiny Rebel - Loki Light4.50Not Tried
17 Oct 2013 (Stephen Harris)
Late afternoon/early evening visit after meetings in Reading. I sat in a corner minding my own business.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Graveyard Eyes4.50ExcellentA black porter, heavily-hopped with lemony/sherbet Sorachi Ace.
Binghams - Woodsmoke Porter5.00ExcellentVery nice, black, smoky, fruity porter.
Hackney - American IPA6.00ExcellentAmber-coloured, strong, fruity IPA. They must have squeezed a lot of juicy US hops to get this much tropical fruit flavour.
Bank Top - Dark Mild4.00Not Tried
Cheddar - Potholer4.30Not Tried
Saltaire - Cascade Pale Ale4.80Not Tried
Ascot - Starting Gate (formerly Alley Cat Ale)3.80Not Tried
Marble - Chocolate Marble5.50Not Tried
Three Castles - Saxon Archer4.00Not Tried
Binghams - Coffee Stout5.00Not Tried
East London (ELB) - Foundation Bitter4.20Not Tried
Siren Craft - 1/2 Mast, Quarter IPA2.80Not Tried
05 Aug 2013 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Quantock - Wills Neck4.30Good
Binghams - Hot Dog Chilli Stout5.00Good
White Horse - The Guv'nor6.50GoodSweetness hides the strength
Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold4.00Not Tried
East London (ELB) - Foundation Bitter4.20Not Tried
East London (ELB) - Nightwatchman4.50Not Tried
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Hopfest3.80Not Tried
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Red Dawn Mild3.70Not Tried
East London (ELB) - Jamboree4.80Not Tried
Bristol Beer Factory - West Coast Red5.00Not Tried
Ascot - Aureole Ale3.30Not Tried
Sunny Republic - Dune Raider5.00Not Tried
08 Jun 2013 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. Amazing range.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ascot - Multi Hop5.50ExcellentGood hop hit as expected
Wentworth - Chocolate & Chilli Stout4.80ExcellentBlackboard warned of it being hot. It was too - wow especially at the back of the throat
Hop Back - Summer Lightning5.00Not Tried
Triple fff - Alton's Pride3.80Not Tried
Frome (formerly Milk Street) - Zig Zag Stout4.50Not Tried
Art Brew - Hip Hop Green Bullet4.30Not Tried
Loddon - Summer Snowflake4.10Not Tried
Sherfield Village - Solo Green Bullet4.30Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Old School Mild4.00Not Tried
West Berkshire - Maharajah’s IPA4.50Not Tried
Chiltern - Cobblestones3.50Not Tried
11 May 2013 (Stephen Harris)
My first visit to this excellent pub. Fantastic beer selection. I arrived 10 minutes into the FA Cup final and there appeared to be just one seat available – I soon realised that it was the one seat in the building that did not have a view of a TV screen. So I ended up standing at the bar with many others.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Triple fff - Citra Sonic4.10ExcellentAmber-coloured. Not just a lovely Citra sharpness, but balancing malt too.
Binghams - Smiled - Smoked Mild3.40GoodDark and very smoky.
Wild Weather - Sundowner3.40AcceptableAmber coloured. A bit too lightweight I thought. Bit of a cereal malt taste.
Wentworth - WPA4.00Not Tried
Castle Combe (formerly Braydon) - YerTiz4.10Not Tried
Triple fff - Ramble Tamble (previously 4.6%)5.00Not Tried
XT Brewing - No. 8 Dark Roast4.50Not Tried
Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - May Bee Mild4.60Not Tried
East London (ELB) - Quadrant Oatmeal Stout (now please use 5.5% entry5.80Not Tried
Siren Craft - Under Current4.50Not Tried
White Horse - Black Beauty3.90Not Tried
Bowman - Warbler4.80Not Tried
Ascot - Emperor Penguin Porter7.00Not Tried

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About the Nags Head

The pub sign. Nags Head, Reading, Berkshire

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent36
Good30
Acceptable16
Poor2

Website.

The pub is found in Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7XD.

Excellent single roomed pub just out of the city centre (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 27 times, seen 195 different beers and tried 84 of them.

Map location

Postcode: RG1 7XD