Such is the nature of the beer scene in the UK, if you are an enthusiast you can find yourself spending an awful lot more time on trading and industrial estates than you ever thought possible, writes Tom Canning.
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But in most towns and cities across the country there is usually a hidden gem of a brewery – surrounded by Screwfix’s and builders merchants – and Reading is no different.
Double Barrelled Brewery is a tremendous example of a new modern business building a following and really running with it.
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Offering a safe space, locally produced food and drink, cheery vibes and a very warm welcome.
Owned by husband and wife team Luci and Mike Clayton-Jones, the brewery celebrated its fifth birthday in some style at its Stadium Way home in West Reading at the weekend.
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While clearly a working brewery and warehouse, the duo have built a little corner of paradise at their venue which draws a crowd, and the brewery was packed to the rafters on Saturday and party-goers celebrated over three days of festivities.
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The headline act was of course the beer which has reached national recognition on prime time TV shows with awards to boot – the Barrell Aged stout Shadows being a personal favourite but undoubtedly most people will have worked their way through the repertoire and have a favourite.
Talking of repertoire, No Limit Street Band were sensational with a range of high-energy pop and party tunes from the seven-piece brass band while the street food vendors sold out – a sure fire sign of a successful weekend.
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It was an evening full of smiles, with plenty of Reading’s well known faces across its food and drink, arts and culture scenes joining in the fun.
If you haven’t made the trip out to Double Barrelled yet, the number 17 bus is calling – next stop DB.
Tom blogs at https://beerinberkshire.substack.com/
