A weekend down to Reading to head to the Royal International Air Tattoo, included a visit to a few pubs and breweries around Reading and the outskirts, an evening in Newbury, and an afternoon in St Albans.
Siren Craft Tap Yard
First place after arriving in Reading was to head out on the bus towards Finchampstead where this brewery is located in an industrial estate.
A great selection of keg beers available here (with pizza being served), and a large selection of cans and bottled beers. Started with “Unstuck in Time”, a delicious pale ale followed by “Half Way There”, a collaboration with Double-Barrelled Brewery in Tilehurst (Reading). This was a great fruity sour beer.
Elusive Brewing Tap Room
Just across from Siren Craft was Elusive Brewing Tap Room, located in an industrial unit.
A great selection of 7 Keg Beers here, alongside a full fridge of cans and bottles (and a lovely seat outside in the sun)
Decided to go for “Conflux”, a Hazy Pale ale from Unity Brewing based in Southampton. A really good choice!
Newbury
An evening trip out to Newbury on the train from Reading, visiting a craft bar and a micropub whilst there.
The Spare Wheel
Located on the main street is “The Spare Wheel”, a Craft Beer and Cider bar serving a selection of Tex-Mex food.
Great choice of Keg ales here, 18 to be exact all differing in styles. Went for “Damn Dead Orange”, a delicious sour beer from Wild Weather Beers based in Reading.
Cow & Cask
A visit next to Betkshires first Micropub which opened in November 2014. A lovely small bar which had 3 local cask beers on alongside a selection of ciders.
Great to see beers that are served on gravity (they are cooled with cold water running in tubes between the cask and insulated jacket)
Really enjoyed my visit here, and to top it the owner came out and spoke to us while we were sat outside to check everything was ok with our drink.
Went for “Duet #11 (Wai-iti and Celeia”, from Hop Kettle Brewing Co based in Swindon. A really good choice! Then a quick walk back up to the train station to get the train back to Reading.
Reading
The Alehouse
First place to visit in Reading was “The Alehouse”. Situated on the main high street. A great small pub with lots of quirky wooden features and booths, and reclaimed wooden floor.
A great choice of hand pulled ales, aswell as real ciders to choose from. Some interesting breweries id not tried beers from before.
Went with two beers here. “Neanderthal” – ,a bitter from Caveman Brewery in Swanscombe, Kent and “Gilded Fool” an English Pale Ale from Broadtown Brewery from Royal Wotton Bassett.
Zerodegrees
Last call of the night was to Zerodegrees. Here they brew a number of beers on the premises. Apologies for the lack of photos, not the easiest lighting to get a photo in. Went with their own beer “Hazy Sunset”, a delicious Hazy IPA.
Phantom Brewery Tap
Onto Saturday evening and a call into Phantom Brewery Tap in Reading.
A great outdoor space with room inside alongside the brewing equipment. A great choice of 15+ keg beers.
Had a few sour beers to try here which included, Mango & Lime Lassi Gose from New Bristol Brewery and Breakfast Juice from Phantom Brewing Co. Great having a food van on site aswell serving some amazing burgers freshly cooked.
Micropub Adventures 
I never quite knew where Elusive were…. now I know it’s a short bus ride from Reading! Need to plan a visit.
And to get back to the Alehouse.
Cheers.
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Aye its a 40 minute ish bus ride and drops at the entrance to the industrial estate near enough.
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Worth doing Elusive and Siren at the same time with them being next to each other 😜
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