Bigged-up Britain: Copa Reading’s bier claims
I was checking out the large Abbey Mill House construction project next to the library (it should look pretty spectacular, ok, relatively spectacular, when finished), when I spotted a new bar I hadn’t seen before: Copa. The “Continental Biers” emblazoned across its front drew me excitedly across the road. My mind conjured up thoughts of Chimay Blue, Pilsner Urquell and Paulaner.
What a surprise I got. Instead of the “fantastic range of continental biers” advertised at the bar entrance, I saw what appeared to be a pretty average drinks menu. Kronenbourg Blanc, Staropramen, Amstel and Leffe are all rather conventional, as opposed to ”speciality beers” as Copa’s website puts it. Bizarrely, the site adds ”Our drinks range really sets us apart from the norm”. Really? And as for “biers”, rather than the more familiar “beers”, laughable (last I checked, Peroni is an Italian brand, but I guess “continental birras” doesn’t have the same impact).
I didn’t enter the bar on this occasion, so I cannot comment on anything else. I suspect that Copa will prove a hit with office workers in particular.
And finally, if you are after speciality beers in Reading, rather than the same popular brands found in all cities across the globe, I personally recommend the following places (I’m sure others can come up with a bigger list):
- Zerodegrees - They produce their own (high-quality) beer such as Czech-style black lager (as not all lagers look like wee) and in fruity flavours such as mango
- The Retreat - A traditional pub offering a number of Belgian (forget Stella) and German beers, as well as local ales
- The Hobgoblin - Always offering something new (beer with coffee, anyone?)
Matt Brady on May 24th 2008 in Business
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Joff responded on 24 May 2008 at 7:53 pm #
I popped into Copa shortly after it re-opened (I was always a bit of a fan of ‘The Outlook’, even if it was a little soul-less). I left pretty quickly, having glanced at the price list.
They’ll still be full at 5pm on a Friday, though, what with the Prudential opposite
Matt Brady responded on 29 May 2008 at 1:53 am #
Yeah, it’s probably rammed late Friday afternoon. I will check it out properly one of these days.
A local responded on 08 Jul 2008 at 7:46 pm #
I drank in the Hogshead, the Outlook and now drink in the Copa regularly. T’was a bit of a shock when they changed from the old slightly worn look to the new spanky look, but the addition of the various beers (or biers) and the enhanced wine list definitely improved it’s offering (and its clientelle).
The best thing about the Copa, though, are the bar staff and the landlord/landlady. There is no other pub in Reading that competes with the level of service and welcome that you get at this place. They collectively have a great sense of humour.
The food in there has gone up ni price, but is very good quality. It’s bnot pub grub and it’s not resaurant standards….but somewhere neatly between.
Definitely now has the best “smoking solution” in Reading also.
The only other pubs that come close to this kind of welcoming atmosphere in Reading (that I’ve experienced myself) are the Nags Head and the Retreat.
If you want cheap drinks - go to the souless rack ‘em stack ‘em establishments (if you can call them that) like Back of Beyond. If you want “speciality beers” in reading . . . . .good luck to ya! (Morrissons is probably your best bet!)