Meet in The Bull – Theale High Street.
Following a recce while distributing the Summer edition of Ullage to the Theale Pubs I concluded that the ideal pub to meet in would be The Bull on the high street.
Trains from the Newbury direction arrive at Theale Station around 12:30 and the walk to the Bull takes around 8 minutes. To get to The Bull from the station head into the town center. At the roundabout (near The Crown) turn right and The Bull is 200 yards on the left.
There are several pubs in the town which could also be visited after meeting up. Here are my notes on the pubs I visited on 10 Jun 2020. Note: these comments were valid at the time, things might have changed since then. All pubs visited are on the main road through the town.
You can see from my scores below that the only 2 real contenders are The Volunteer, and The Bull (closer to the station).
The Bull, Wadworths, with food and a decent selection of Ales. Plenty of seating inside and out.
Beer score on the day: Amarillo Gold; 3.5
The Volunteer, Fuller’s, is at the west end of the town. 12 minutes walk to/from the station, and 9 minutes walk from The Bull. The Ale here was in very good condition and food is served. Plenty of seating inside and out.
Beer score on the day: Sticky Wicket; 3.5
The Falcon, Courage on the sign, is a few doors before The Bull usually has 2 ales on tap but on the reccy day they had no Real Ale available. The pub has 2 bars.
Their website is not ready at teh time of writing so I don’t know if they serve food at lunchtimes.
Beer score on the day: 0
The Crown, freehouse, is closest to the station. According to the website food is served between 12:00 and 15:00. This pub has a pool table and tv at one end of the long bar and a recently refurbished covered garden area.
Beer score on the day: Otter Ale; 1.5 & Atlantic; 1.5
Tony Girling