3 Bs

May 20, 2008 [ Updated September 10, 2008 ]
Excellent beer - only four real ale taps but they’re changed very regularly and it’s rare that I see something I’ve had before. The staff are generally very friendly and knowledgeable about the beers too. What you think of this bar will depend on when you go and where you sit. It’s always fantastic to sit on the outside tables on a sunny evening watching the commuters scurrying their way home. Inside can (on a quiet day) see like a very bland, characterless barn of a coffee shop - and it can often be empty and devoid of any atmosphere whatsoever. However, go when there’s a live band on and the place takes on a wildly different air - a lively, friendly bohemian crowd arrive, the lights go down and you can either sing and dance along with the crowd or talk to mysterious strangers (and strange will probably be the right word!) lurking on the fringes - you’re sure to have a great time either way, and there never seems to be any trouble. A great bar - on the right night.... NOTE: Tried to revisit on 3/9/08 and it was closed for refurbishment. A sign up said that opening times would be reduced to 5.30pm - 11pm Weds to Sat (not open other days). Hope the refurb doesn’t mean the real ale goes AWOL...

October 21, 2007
A decent selection of 4 changing cask ales, mainly from local Brewers. The beer is in good condition and the atmosphere is very pleasant with lots of older folk filling the place during the day and music lovers in the evening. Foodwise, they have the best Tappas outside of Spain, absolutely perfect with the beer. Tappas for 1 fed both of us, no problem. A really good place to visit.

August 10, 2007
Good range of food at lunchtime - more a place to eat than drink, but they do usually have at least one interesting beer.

The name recognises the three industries that made Reading what it is today - Beer, Biscuits and Bulbs.

July 29, 2007
Situated in the cellar of the town hall, this used to be a private club until it was opened up to the public a few years back. It’s a strange pub but well worth a visit as some quite interesting beers go through the handpumps here although you can be unlucky and arrive to get nothing worth a half... there’s a McSpoons close by if you’re that way inclined and it’s only three minutes behind the Hobgoblin.