What a place, so good. Yes the deli and booze selection is top notch but the service and food is also really good. The Ruben especially! Can’t wait to visit again
What a cracking place this is...craft beer & cheese! Big selection of cans in fridges downstairs along with the cheese & the amazing cheese toasties (£8). Upstairs a little taproom with 8 taps covering pales ales, dipas, cider, stouts & lager with a very knowledgeable guy behind the taps happy to give samples.
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Interesting cheese and beer shop hidden in the Harris Arcade. Quite a small shop with a limited selection of beers but worth a visit.
27/08/22 - Since writing this about 6 years ago, Grumpy Goat has moved to Smelly Alley in Reading into a bigger premises and a week ago they opened a Taproom upstairs which I will be commenting on. Access is via a set of stairs to left of store entrance so it's not suitable for those in wheelchairs unless there is a lift. The venue is pleasing. Seating is a combination of stools and wooden sofas with cushions. The latter has power sockets where you can charge your phone. The beer selection is reasonable and the venue tends to avoid the big local breweries eg Siren, DB and Phantom. Taproom doesn't have a big screen to display its wares but instead relies on scrabble letters which is interesting but not easy to see from afar.
There is no draught cider option and the bottled stuff is local but very craft and pricey. Food option is a variation on cheese platters but you won't get anywhere asking for crisps. Dogs are allowed and the vibe was good. It's good to have another craft venue in centre of town. Nice touch was the security chap on door. Shouldn't be needed but the alley can be iffy at night.
04/11/2023 - Unfortunately Grumpy Goat closed for good on Saturday 28 October 2023. Problems with contract charges with landlord apparently. A real shame :(
Can't beat The Grumpy Goat for amazing local beers and absolutely sublime cheese toasties! (Plus a well stocked cheese counter if you want some to take home). Friendly and knowledgeable staff, beautiful new upstairs bar and seating area... Go there, you won't regret it!
I got a latte and the reuben grilled cheese. Best sandwich ever eaten in my life! MMMMMMMM so freaking good
Food and drink return to Union Street with this speciality cheese shop.
Upstairs is a small bar room with performance area. They have quality beers and a special atmosphere.
The Grumpy Goat offers a variety of things, but by far the best thing is their grilled cheese. I will often make a special stop just to pick up one if I am in the area - they have a few different grilled cheeses available (including a vegan option) which are all great, although the Rueben is a particular standout.
In addition to the grilled cheese, you can buy cheese (to eat in as part of a cheeseboard or to take home) and they feature a range of great local cheeses to try.
The taproom is a lovely little chill space serving a range of craft beers - they also have wines available.
The staff are all incredibly friendly and the venue is dog-friendly.
This shop is located in the alley (Smelly alley) of Reading town centre. At night, on the month of December, there are Christmas lights that brighten the alley. The shop is catchy as it has a unique colour of dark green paint outside. They have delicious grilled sandwiches and I also love their hot chocolate! Not too sweet and is good for me. They also have lots of cheese choices including vegan , and also spirits, wines and craft beers. A must visit!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 they are also in deliveroo just in case you can’t go to town and you’re craving for their cheeses and craft beers. The staffs are also friendly , accommodating and knowledgable with their selection of cheese. 👍🏻👍🏻
Amazing fromagerie on the downstairs with a fantastic selection of cheeses but also craft beer and select brilliant quality wine!! You can also get the best cheese toasties in Reading on the upstairs there is a bar area for a beer/wine/spirits drink which you could combine with your own made cheese platter! If visiting Reading this is definitely worth a visit!!
Nice toasties and soft drinks. I would have had a craft beer, but I'm not paying £1.50 on top for them to open it. Sat outside, as there was a loud yapping dog upstairs. If there was no empty seats outside, we wouldn't have went in (because of the yapping dog). It's very nice produce and products, so expect to pay more.
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