Reading has always been home to a plethora of pubs, inns, beerhouses and breweries. But as the town itself has undergone huge changes, these institutions have had to adapt in turn, and many have been left by the wayside. This selection of archive and new photographs relates the history of Reading's many pubs, from the days when they were filled with factory workers and bar billiards enthusiasts to the pool tables and cigarette machines of today's theme bars and chain 'mega pubs'. John Dearing guides the reader through these pubs and their history, and adds life to the images with tales and anecdotes from regulars and local characters. This book provides a fascinating and comprehensive history of brewing in the area, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Reading and its drinking establishments.