BITE user comments - mericet
Comments by mericet
The old landlord has gone back to the Jolly Anglers in Reading. The problem he had in the Crispin was due to that ghastly woman he was involved with, but now they've split hopefully he'll do a good job in the Jolly. Meanwhile, the new landlord of the Crispin is trying hard to win back all the old regulars the evil witch threw out, and he deserves all the support he can get.
18 Mar 2010 11:30
The manager that runs it is doing a good job in difficult circumstances. The pub-co that owns it know full well that it's the only decent pub in the whole chain, and that the chain would probably collapse if it weren't for this pub propping it up, yet they insist on making life difficult for the manager. One such example is the impeccable timing of of the cellar refit - right before the busiest time of year! It seems that the pub-co (like all pub cos) is run by a group of blithering idiots.
Having said that - still very good. Service is fast and friendly, except when the tall bloke with dreds is working, who's as rude as f**k.
22 Apr 2009 13:13
Since it re-opened, it's lost all its charm.
I almost went there the other day. I got halfway up the stairs and turned back because of the phenomenally loud rap coming from there. Some of my group still went up but didn't stay - far too loud and it seems that most other people thought so too - there was apparently hardly anyone there. Why don't they realise that the loud rap was driving people away?
22 Apr 2009 13:04
You can tell which of the three town centre Wetherspoons pubs you are in by the type of clientelle -
Back of Beyond - Students
Monks Retreat - Chavs
Hope Tap - Old men who smell of pee
24 Jun 2008 12:28
This place keeps winning CAMRA awards, though I'm not sure why. I think it's OK but it's not worth making a special journey for. Sure the beer's in good condition but other than that it's really nothing special in that it completely lacks atmosphere.
4 Jun 2008 15:06
The London Pride looked like there was something living in it, I'm glad it wasn't my drink. The bar staff looked as if they really didn't care for customers having the audacity to actually want a drink, and the toilets had a very unsavoury bouquet.
Other than that, it was ok.
19 May 2008 16:23
It seems this pub can't quite make up it's mind if it's a real ale pub or not. The have three handpumps but two of them serve something that is almost, but not quite, entirely unlike real ale - Courage Best or Adnams. The thrid one can give you a pint of something decent, the last time I went (12th May 2008) it was Summer Lightning. The quality of the real ale usually varies between just-about acceptable and very good, although on one occasion I had to reject a pint.
The decor looks like it has not been changed since about 1973, but I think that adds a certain charm.
The real claim to fame is the Cafe Scientifique evenings they hold here sometimes, where visiting academics do talks and Q/A sessions every now and then. If you are intellectually curious, you can enjoy and lecture and a pint! Otherwise, there's the other bar.
19 May 2008 16:17
The RISC Global Cafe and Bar, Reading
Here is something refreshing different. A nice place to go and have a decent beer in a relaxed atmosphere. Sometimes they have live music, and that's always a bonus. Good food, too.
Just one criticism - some beer doesn't work so well when chilled almost to the point of freezing. Lager and European Beer - yes, real ale - no!
19 May 2008 16:01
This place is unusual in that it's a fusion of two worlds - the normal, unadvenurous trendy world of mega-brands meets with something rather more individual and quirky - and it works. The beer is all brewed on site (which seems to put people off, I guess because some poeple only drink big brands they've heard of) but it's very good beer indeed. I agree with Quinnos's description - a cross between traditional real ale and mass-produced lager.
Try the Black Lager - very tasty if you let it warm up a bit.
19 May 2008 15:53
Dogma Bar and Kitchen, Reading
This place is ghastly. It's your typical trendy bar, with nothing to differentiate it from the millions of other trendy bars. The clientele are all exactly the same as each other (typical trendy fashion victims) they could all be clones.
19 May 2008 15:43
Nice little backstreet local with quiz nights and occasional live music.
The downside is that all the beer is Wadworths, but . it's always in perfect condition, so it goes to show that even Wadworths can taste OK if it's well kept.
10 Jan 2008 19:07
In response to Quinno - I think they had cellar problems about that time. All sorted now, beer top notch. Do try again.
This is a real hidden gem, well worth the effort to find. The landlord and landlady are great characters, they should be on TV!
10 Jan 2008 19:03
Oh lee100378 - the South is the place to be for Real Ale, as the Nags Head has just started to show you! Glad you liked this true gem of a pub!
With 12 real ales, it's one of the best pubs for real ale fans. They also do great pies (from Sweeny Todds) and a fair selection of wine too. I've been going since it opened last January and it's been getting better and better - it initially lacked atmosphere but now it's become established, more people go so that's not a problem any more.
Great Pub!
10 Jan 2008 18:58
Definitely one of the best pubs in the world. Always as excellent range of beer, friendly staff (once you get to know them a bit) who are always willing to help out if you don't know what to drink, and absolutely no chavs.
Always worth a visit.
10 Jan 2008 18:51
I've been in here many times and it's always been good - good beer, well kept, nice place, and sometimes good music. Last time, however, we were just about the only ones in there - which was a shame, because that meant it lacked atmosphere.
10 Jan 2008 18:46
The Alehouse, Reading
Another quick note in reply to lauraeva's post.
lauraeva's failure to notice the absence of Wychwood beers and saying that none of the ales were to her liking is incredible - did she drink all 8 and not realise that none were Wychwood? Doesn't make sense. I bet she didn't even go in.
29 Aug 2010 09:37