With just under two weeks left to go before the Ale Trail wraps up, I still have 11 pubs to go.. I had to get a wiggle on. So I had two days of Ale Trail in a row – Sunday and this just past Bank Holiday Monday.
Our bumper two-day outing truly took it to the next level. From charming country pubs to bustling city establishments, we traversed the countryside and sampled a variety of delicious ales at seven different locations.
Day One: A Sunday Well Spent in Hurst
Our bumper Ale Trail outing began on Sunday, with our first stop at The Jolly Farmer in Hurst. This cozy village pub welcomed us with open arms, and we enjoyed a refreshing pint of Tribute by St Austell Brewery. This zesty, full-bodied ale proved to be the perfect way to kick off our adventure.
Next, we ventured to The Wheelwrights Arms in St. Nicholas Hurst, a rustic country pub where we savored a pint of Swordfish by Wadworth. This intriguing blend of traditional English ale and Pusser’s Navy Rum provided a unique and satisfying conclusion to our Sunday outing.
Day Two: A Monday to Remember
On Monday, our journey continued with a visit to The Bull Inn in Sonning. This historic church side pub was the perfect setting to enjoy a pint of Hophead by Darkstar Brewing Co. With its light, hoppy flavour and refreshing finish, Hophead left us eager to continue our Ale Trail adventure.
Our next stop was The Black Horse in Emmer Green, a traditional pub where we enjoyed a pint of the classic Courage ale. This well-balanced brew, with its malty notes and smooth finish, reminded us of the rich history and tradition of English brewing.
We then made our way to The Clifton Arms in Caversham, a welcoming pub with a great selection of ales on tap. Here, we sampled Gravity by Brakspear Brewing Company, a delicious amber ale with a smooth, malty profile that was a true delight to the palate.
Our penultimate stop took us to The Fox and Hounds Beer House in Caversham, where we opted for a half pint of Dank Juice by UnBarred Brewery. This bold, hoppy brew with tropical fruit undertones provided a burst of flavour that was both unexpected and delightful.
Finally, we concluded our bumper Ale Trail outing at The Turks in Reading. This lively pub offered a wide variety of ales, and we couldn’t resist trying a pint of Jail Ale by Dartmoor Brewery. With its rich, malty flavor and satisfying depth, Jail Ale proved to be the perfect way to end our two-day adventure.
Conclusion
Our bumper two-day Ale Trail outing was an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, friendship, and of course, fantastic ales. From The Jolly Farmer in Hurst to The Turks in Reading, each pub we visited brought its own unique charm and memorable pint to our experience. As we look forward to our next Ale Trail adventure, we can’t help but feel grateful for the memories we’ve made and the incredible ales we’ve had the pleasure of sampling.
