please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
8 hand pumps, numerous "craft" bottles and cans. Music fairly loud for a PB with one group of people and 2 or 3 singles/pairs on a quiet Tuesday evening.
Cwtch 4.6%, Arbor mosaic 4, Anspach Hobday Extra Pale3.8, Binghams Vanilla Stout 5.0 CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain 2016, Tap Social 16FT Norweigan Porter 5.2, Siren Craft Brew Yu Lu 3.6 and Siren Suspended in Cascade 4.
To be frank, not a great selection if you want to drink trad English copper/Amber bitters, but I feel this place does not cater for us!
Cwtch a little hazy but tasted fine.
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Good range of draft beers, and an exceptionally wide range of bottled beers. Several outdoor drinking areas - in and out of the sun - and a reasonably short and easy walk from the new northern exit to Reading station.
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This is almost certainly Caversham's best pub and was my favourite of 11 Berkshire pubs we tried today. The Fox & Hounds reminds me of the Nags Head in Reading. Although it is smaller. 8 ales and 3 ciders were on - Ramsbury Same Again & Flint Knapper, RCH PG Steam, West Berkshire March Hare, Arbor Triple Hop, MB Bomb & Smokescreen & Slaters Haka were the ales. The ciders were Cornish Orchards Farmhouse Cider, Westons Country Perry & Millwhites Rum Cask. Has a mainly local crowd. The interior is nice and there is an outdoor area with seating at the rear. Could have been an 8 with more knowledgeable bar staff.
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Interesting pub trivia - this pub is the only place John Lennon and Paul McCartney ever performed as a duo. They appeared as the" Nerk Twins" after hitchhiking down from Liverpool to stay with Paul's cousin, the then landlady, in 1960. They also served behind the bar during the week.
paulf - 10 Feb 2014 13:11 |
Popped in this afternoon and bar maid did not even notice ! Too busy playing with her phone. Waited, coughed, dropped another hint then simply went up the road instead to the Clifton. Had a couple of pints of Brakspear Top Notch which was excellent.
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Harrow Prineappel
Why you speak in funny voice? Is not London cookie boy? Wot pubs you go to? If you no rike pub ren why you go? Can you glive me menny good plubs in Walsall where you clum from?
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You punk must be cleaner of pub
I not visit all pub in one day debilka -i just go to here and write my reviews to the pub I go before visit.
The bar maid was be lazy and we did do the wait for the serve.
There was not a toilet paper or a soap to do washing hand. And no was the light on outside . Maybe you no afford new lantern or a power to make work.
I gave to you still the good rating but now change my mind because no you like be told. When I visit the Reading is no problem because there are more good pub than you one pub. I inside a London anyway so for me is no problem.
You probably is look like troll I want to say that before I go from here and you is a rude - sorry to the reading of anyone else my English is no perfect I know /:
Glupszy niz ustawa przewiduje i masz dupe jak szafe. Umyj cycki!
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Please ignore the previous comment from the pineapple. He is a troll! He has written rude and abusive reviews on about 20 pubs all over the country which he had apparently visited all on one day. I have reported it for removal. He seems to be trying to rubbish other pu s while promoting his own place which has terrible reviews.
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WHEN I COULD EVENTUALLY GET A SERVICE FROM LAZY BARMAID AND GET HER TO DO THE PUT DOWN OF BOOK AND MOBILE I HAD NICE PINT OF THE BEER
PUB ACTUALLY I THOUGHT WAS CLOSED BECAUSE NO LIGHTS ON OUTSIDE IN THE NIGHT, BUT I LOOK INSIDE A WINDOW AND THEN I KNOW WAS OPEN
PUB A BIT DIRTY . ALL TABLES WERE VERY VERY DIRTY AND NOT BE CLEANED ALL DAY AND TOILET NO PAPER OR SOAP BUT BEER VERY GOOD SO I GIVE GOOD SCORE
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Facing a thirsty wait at Reading Station I decided to head south and try the F&H. Only a 15 minute brisk walk from my platform across the park. A light friendly pub with a range of ales (Rebellion, Vale, West Berks.) and all in good nick. 20 minutes walk back..
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Couldn't agree more with The Hermit and Pitonman. Since Kevin & Kerry took over a few years ago this pub has been transformed. It used to be completely unwelcoming with frosted glass windows. That's all been changed, the place was given a bit of a spruce (without ruining the character or turning it into a "Gastro-type" you find on any street), and Kevin has his own brewery (2 Bridges) beer in there regularly. Also offerings from many local and far breweries which change frequently.
They started doing food of sorts (interesting hot dogs) recently. Great quiz night on a Thursday. Open fire. Yes, there's horse racing and football on the telly and (shock horror!) "worker types" - but they make the place. If you want fine gastro dining and Simeon and Pippa with the children Tarquin and Rose in the corner, you should go elsewhere. What you will get is a friendly welcome, lots of conversation and some quality ales.
The best pub in Caversham, and one of the best in the Reading area.
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The North Bank's answer to the wonderful Nag's Head and a burgeoning success story since the arrival of a local brewer. There were about six ales on tap in the occasion of my visit as well as four ciders/perries. Unpretentious too - and the public bar has a pool table. A good local and they run a bus to matches at the Madejski Stadium.
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Sadly, white van man has made a comeback in this pub. Avoid unless you want to hear the "f" word and the "c" word being bellowed in your lugs.
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Discovered the Fox & Hounds by accident last night while looking for somewhere to pass 25 minutes while my kids have music lessons in Caversham. First thought was that it was a typical local boozer in a two-up two-down residential area. Then I noticed that the windows were clean and bright, and that real ales and ciders were being advertised.
As I was driving, I just had a pint of the 2 Bridges Blonde, which was well kept. I was offered a taster, even though I'd just ordered a pint. Yes, the darts on the TV was a bit loud, but I like darts on the TV, so it wasn't a problem. The bit of work I'd planned to do went by the wayside as I enjoyed my beer.
Bare wooden floorboards, and a good range of breweriana were the main things I noticed about the decor in the bar. The other room was much brighter, and has a pool table. Next week, I'll see if they have a darts board, so I can get some practice in.
I will probably be there every term-time Thursday for months/years to come, if last night was anything to go by. Just wish I lived less than 16 miles away!
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Talk about a Pub being revived to probably the best one in Caversham! Excellent selection on Ales. Very friendly atmosphere, always have a brilliant time. The new Landlord and Landlady are both a breath of fresh air to the place. Worth checking it out!
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Since the new landlord and landlady have taken over The Fox and Hounds it has become THE destination for real ale drinkers in Caversham! The warm welcome, new look and choice of up to 6 usually local real ales makes the pub the finest in Caversham and one of the very best in Reading! Keep up the good work guys!
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Popped in early one Monday evening. They must have had a good weekend as there were only 2 beers on tap - however they were both from Bingham's so that did me nicely thank you!!
There is now a collection of beer bottles round the wall of the main bar and a few brewery-type mirrors,so the place is getting a much more "homely" feel to it. Always someone to chat to! The TV is on but usually with the sound off (unless there's a game on). The pub is getting bettter by the pint and attracting more new faces every day with the real ales becoming more and more popular. I use the F&H regularly - why not give it a try!
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Gets better & better. Always a good selection of interesting real ales on offer. Friendly bar staff who always happy to offer you a "sample" before you buy. And the pub is nice and warm these days!
Arguably the best pub in Caversham now (unless you are a trendy who prefers a bland clinical venue).
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Went in last Thurday night to check out the Two Bridges beers but sadly noe on offer but the Landlord (Brewer of Two Bridges) told me one would be on later. Sadly it did not materialise. Having said that Kevin's done a great job to get 6 hamnpumps on serving all local ales such as White Horse - Blowing Stone (very good), White Horse - Bitter, Ascot - Alligator Ale. Also there were two draught ciders including local Tutts Clump cider. On our visit there was a pub quiz organised by Landlady and they supplied chicken bites and chips to all entrants after the quiz. Keep up the good work Kevin & Kerry and please get your beers n tap to entice more punters to visit.
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Continues to improve. Almost always 5 real ales on offer, if not 6 (but sadly no Two Bridges). Not quite so many lager-swilling white van men - think they must have gravitated to their natural home (Wetherspoons & The Travellers' Rest). Well worth watching - this could well become the best little boozer in Caversham (if it isn't already).
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2 White Horse, a local Binghams which wasn't on but then turned out it was (they did tell me though) plus one other beer. No brewery beer which was a shame although the WH beer was fine. Pub a bit basic & cold both physical & metaphorically speaking (they were installing a new radiator at the time). Come back when the brewery sorts itself out & it's a bit warmer.....
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My wife and I visited recently having read a really good write up in local CAMRA mag. Large Sky Sports banner outside seemed (to us offputting), inside pub was clean and a little soul-less. There was no sign of the local Two Bridges ale which is why we'd come. Maybe we'll try again in a while. In the meantime even Whetherspoon has as good ambience and beer.
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On the whole this pub continues to improve. I pop in 2 or 3 times a week and there are always at least 4 real ales on offer - often more. Yes, the TV can be a bit loud, and yes ditto the juke box, but it is a good old-fashioned boozer, not some trendy fly-by-night venue. The landlord is intending to move his brewery on to the site in the coming months so with a bit of luck "Two Bridges" will appear more frequently.
I am keeping the faith and sticking with this pub, at least for the time being.
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Much improved - several real ales now available although on my last two visits there was no sign of Two Bridges beers even though the new pub sign states it is a Two Bridges Brewery Beer house!! Anyway, beer was fine and although there are still a load of lager drinkers it is moving in the right direction and with a bit more support could be a really good ale house and a great addition to the Caversham beer scene. Beatles bric-a-brac innthe games bar (read about the pub's connection with two of the Fab Four)
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Stopped in for a pint here a week or so ago whilst out walking the pooch, never would have stopped in before, the pub is definitely now much cleaner, friendlier, and had some good ales on. There was a nice mix of people old and young and some kids. Didn't come across any intimidating youths, if Grangoo was anywhere near as exaggerated in his mannerisms and attitude towards the the other customers whilst at the pub as he is in his commenting then no wonder he got a few funny looks from the locals!
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Imagine enjoying a lovely cold pint of golden ale ( brewed by the landlord) on a lovely hot day.
Now imagine trying to enjoy it whilst being stared at by a bunch of lager quaffing, intimidating youths whilst being deafened by the jukebox.
I feel comfortable in any pub but I was out of my depth in the Fox and Hounds. If I was wearing a stab vest and had some pepper spray I may have savoured my drink instead of gulping it down to end the experience as quickly as possible. The great shame is the beer was absolutely first class yet the visit left a bad taste in my mouth.
I wish the landlord well but making this place desirable will take an enormous effort.
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Good well kept beers and cider and a good selection, however I wont be paying another visit. I think the landlord still needs to rid this pub of the undesirable element, which tainted this pub previously. Switch off the Fosters, Kronenbourg, Strongbow and turn the jukebox down and you might get rid of them. Such a shame. Landlord has his work cut out. Good Luck
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Visited yesterday and my views very much echo those of dromdick.
Pub certainly looks cleaner and brighter than it used to but is still very scruffy. Large car park and outside seating/smoking area. 6 handpumps dispensing a beer from each of 2 Bridges (who now run it), Rebellion and West Berks plus a cider. Tried the 2 Bridges offering at �3 - OK but not good enough to tempt me to a second pint.
Reasonably busy in the early evening but a lot more lager than ale was being served. I'd love it to do well but, I'm afraid, I am not confident based on my first visit.
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Been in a couple of times now under the new regime and the place is vastly improved (although that wouldn't be hard). Beer in very good nick although plenty of lager was being guzzled by the less discerning punters. My main observation is that once the initial novelty has worn off will the real ale fraternity go back to the local Wetherspoons (nearly a pound a pint cheaper)?
The new landlord deserves to succeed but market forces will dictate what happens in the months to come.
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Went for the 'Grand Opening'. The new landlord & landlady are working hard to make a go of this pub. Initial indications are very good, real ales, a real cider and beer from the local 2 Bridges Brewery. The beer was in fine form, I will return.
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Re-opening on Saturday 30 July having undergone a complete transformation. I popped in this week and work was still in progress but they are now pulling decent pints. It'll become the brewery tap for the local 2 Bridges brewery.
The main news is that they will have 8 handpumps (2 Two Bridges, 6 others). The place has been refurbished, so if you know how it used to be, you might be pleased at the new flooring, new clear glass in the windows (so people can see in), new decoration and the general much brighter and more comfortable ambience. "Coming soon" are Sunday lunches and Saturday breakfasts. It sounds as though it could become a destination pub.
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Latest rumour is that the new Landlord/brewer is taking over on the 1st of July. I look forward to visiting the place soon after if this is the case. Not a great fan of Two Bridges on the few occasions I've tried it, but I'm well up for giving it another try!
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Watch out for major changes to this pub as we understand that Two Bridges Brewery are to take over the lease and run the bar as a free house offering their own beers plus other local real ales !! It is possible that the actual brewery will also move to the pub at some future date. p.s. Did you know that The Beatles once played in the old upstairs function room?
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