PubsandBeer
Nags Head (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Binghams - Woodsmoke Porter |  | 1 |
| Wentworth - Chocolate & Chilli Stout | | 1 |
| Cloudwater - US Light Mosaic | | 1 |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - WW1 Centenary Beer | | 1 |
| Hackney - American IPA | | 1 |
| First Chop Brewing Arm - Sorachi Sunshine | | 1 |
| Triple fff - Citra Sonic | | 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 |
| Celt Experience (now brands are owned by Evans Evans) - Pre-Prohibition IPA | | 1 |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Graveyard Eyes | | 1 |
| New Wharf - Raspberry: American Cream Ale | | 1 |
| Ascot - Multi Hop | | 1 |
| Almasty - Whole Cone Pale |  | 1 |
| Quantock - Wills Neck | | 1 |
| Ascot - Ebony & Ivory | | 1 |
| Arbor Ales - My Little Sabrony | | 1 |
| Binghams - Hot Dog Chilli Stout | | 1 |
| Binghams - Smiled - Smoked Mild | | 1 |
| Seven Bro7hers - EPA | | 1 |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | | 1 |
| White Horse - The Guv'nor | | 1 |
| Tapstone - Voodoo Juice | | 1 |
| Nottingham - Rock Mild | | 1 |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Sunday League Relegation Playoffs – Home |  | 1 |
| Wild Weather - Sundowner | | 1 |
| Temperance Union - Ott Softy | | 1 |
| West Berkshire - Mr Chubb's Lunchtime Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Triple fff - Alton's Pride | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sunny Republic - Dune Raider | Not Tried | 0 |
| Gloucester - Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Moor - So'Hop | Not Tried | 0 |
| Frome (formerly Milk Street) - Zig Zag Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bank Top - Dark Mild | 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 |
| Art Brew - Hip Hop Green Bullet | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cheddar - Potholer | Not Tried | 0 |
| Waen - A Message to You | Not Tried | 0 |
| Arbor Ales - The Ego Has Landed | Not Tried | 0 |
| Loddon - Summer Snowflake | Not Tried | 0 |
| Saltaire - Cascade Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tiny Rebel - Loki Light | Not Tried | 0 |
| Elusive - Cherrywood Road | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sherfield Village - Solo Green Bullet | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ascot - Starting Gate (formerly Alley Cat Ale) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| New Wharf - England | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wentworth - WPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Old School Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marble - Chocolate Marble | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cambrinus Craft - St. Anthony's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wild Weather - Welcome to the Crumble | Not Tried | 0 |
| Castle Combe (formerly Braydon) - YerTiz | Not Tried | 0 |
| West Berkshire - Maharajah’s IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Three Castles - Saxon Archer | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Sherbet | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Suspended in Motueka | Not Tried | 0 |
| Triple fff - Ramble Tamble (previously 4.6%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Chiltern - Cobblestones | Not Tried | 0 |
| Binghams - Coffee Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Eldorado Session | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wild Weather - Wyld Stallyns | Not Tried | 0 |
| Triple fff - Pressed Rat & Warthog | Not Tried | 0 |
| XT Brewing - No. 8 Dark Roast | 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 |
| Salopian - Darwin's Origin | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - May Bee Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| East London (ELB) - Foundation Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Boggart - Dark Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Summerlands (was 3.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| East London (ELB) - Quadrant Oatmeal Stout (now please use 5.5% entry | Not Tried | 0 |
| East London (ELB) - Nightwatchman | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Asylum | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Priory Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fell - Quiet Batpeople | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Under Current | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Hopfest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Attila | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ilkley - Rombald | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wild Weather - Achievement Unlocked | Not Tried | 0 |
| White Horse - Black Beauty | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Red Dawn Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Binghams - Vanilla Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milestone - Oktoberfest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Aira | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bowman - Warbler | Not Tried | 0 |
| East London (ELB) - Jamboree | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cromarty - Hit The Lip | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sherfield Village - Pacific Jade | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ilkley - Lotus (please use other entry) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ascot - Emperor Penguin Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - West Coast Red | Not Tried | 0 |
| Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Zenith | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tiny Rebel - Dirty Perle | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Towns - OAP Double IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ascot - Aureole Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Liquid Mistress Red IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
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.
| 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 |
08 Jun 2013 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. Amazing range.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascot - Multi Hop | 5.50 | | Good hop hit as expected |
| Wentworth - Chocolate & Chilli Stout | 4.80 | | Blackboard warned of it being hot. It was too - wow especially at the back of the throat |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Triple fff - Alton's Pride | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Frome (formerly Milk Street) - Zig Zag Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Art Brew - Hip Hop Green Bullet | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Loddon - Summer Snowflake | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Sherfield Village - Solo Green Bullet | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Old School Mild | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| West Berkshire - Maharajah’s IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Chiltern - Cobblestones | 3.50 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple fff - Citra Sonic | 4.10 | | Amber-coloured. Not just a lovely Citra sharpness, but balancing malt too. |
| Binghams - Smiled - Smoked Mild | 3.40 | | Dark and very smoky. |
| Wild Weather - Sundowner | 3.40 | | Amber coloured. A bit too lightweight I thought. Bit of a cereal malt taste. |
| Wentworth - WPA | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Castle Combe (formerly Braydon) - YerTiz | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Triple fff - Ramble Tamble (previously 4.6%) | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| XT Brewing - No. 8 Dark Roast | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - May Bee Mild | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| East London (ELB) - Quadrant Oatmeal Stout (now please use 5.5% entry | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Under Current | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| White Horse - Black Beauty | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Bowman - Warbler | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Ascot - Emperor Penguin Porter | 7.00 | Not Tried |
About the Nags Head
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 36 |
| 30 |
| 16 |
 | 2 |
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.
Postcode: RG1 7XD