7th visit of Reading and its environs: From the relative tranquillity of Pangbourne, Berkshire, and neighbouring Whitchurch-on-Thames, the delayed train service shunted me into bustling Reading for a stop here to sample a few real ales right in its main town centre that was alive with shoppers and those enjoying the real ales in four pubs I managed to fit in with one other real ale enthusiast from SE London who I met here in this one. It was busy late afternoon but they had secured a tiny table towards the rear of this reinvented old-fashioned pub with many snugs to squeeze into. Some eight real ales on no less! Served without much delay as at least two bar staff serving as I recall.

Late lunchtime and fairly busy. Our group found the two free cubby hole sized snugs at the rear of the pub.

A mid-afternoon visit at a quiet time for this pub. I accidentally break the ‘no mobile ‘phones’ rule, but get away with it.

Mid-afternoon visit on a very hot day. Just a handful of regulars around the bar discussing a forthcoming expedition to London in fancy dress.

Mid-afternoon following an early-finishing meeting. I sat in one of the little condemned cells at the back, out of sight of pumpclips or blackboard, so do not have a full list of beers.

Just after noon for a swift half while the family sat outside Pret over the street. Glad I did - what a gem - will need to revisit and try to do it justice next time.

Unexpectedly quiet in here at around 6pm. For the first time in years I took up a seat in one of the little booths at the rear. Slightly regretted this due to the proximity of the gents toilets, which looked like they could do with a good scrub.

Mid-day visit and very few inside but heaving outside with shoppers.

21:00 visit and thinned out nicely. A few of the annual, St Niklaus jumper wearing morons about and sad to note that the mobile free rule here appears to have been relaxed. Some top ales noted though, including some rather nice bottles on the menu, two of which, at £13.50 each, were 'taken away', to add to my cellar!

12:00 visit. Kent bound, enroute stop-off. Steady crowd coming and going, avoiding the heavy rain, but keen to sample the excellent selection of real and craft ales on offer. Good to catch up with one or two old faces.