Once again, the Stockport and South Manchester Branch of CAMRA is
organising Stockport Beer Week which will run on the same dates as Cask
Marque’s National Cask Ale Week (20th -30th September). Around 20
events are planned including an ale trail, brewery tours, meet the brewer
evenings, a quiz and local band performances.
Working with Stockport Council, BID delivery company Totally Stockport
and community organisations, the idea is to promote the revitalisation of
the town centre. The Beer Week is designed to encourage people to go to
the pubs and bars, sample different beers and learn more about this
important part of life in the town.
But perhaps you have a partner, friend or colleague that doesn’t drink
beer? Maybe they would like to be introduced to beer, but don’t know
where to start? Daisy Turnell, Marketing Manager of the Head of Steam
pub chain, will host a free tasting of beers from the North East
and is encouraging people to bring a non-beer drinker along.
Or do you fancy trying your hand at brewing? Our Beer Week Charity,
Stockport CP, will be holding a raffle during the Beer Week and the star
prize will be to be a brewer for the day thanks to Stockport Brewing Co.
Tickets will be available at various venues and events in the town or direct
from the charity.
Robinsons will be offering “Two for One” deals on Brewery Tours booked in
advance and are again sponsoring the Ale Trail. This year the trail features
some new venues such as the Wellington, Nelson, and Navigation as well
as some old favourites. The prize for completing the course is once again
a T-shirt.
The Light Cinema will be screening the 1987 black comedy “Withnail and
I” where things all go wrong after a visit to a pub. Why not enjoy this
classic film whilst quaffing a beer and picking up you ale trail sticker?
New this year are cellar tours of the Arden Arms and Queens Head in
addition to those at the Boars Head and Bakers Vaults. If you’ve never
been in a pub cellar before, now’s your chance and they are all different;
the Arden’s cellar was once a mortuary whilst the double level Bakers’
cellar has secret passages and an Victorian gin store.
Richard from Thirst Class Ales will be brewing a special Beer Week beer
which should be widely available round the town on draught and in bottle,
whilst Torrside Brewery will be launching a new barrel-aged beer and a
collaboration beer at their evening in the Petersgate Tap.
Fool Hardy Ales, at the Hope Inn on the Wellington Road “Slope of Beer”
will also launch a new beer and run brewery tours. Stockport’s newest
Market Place bar, Project 53, run by the Mobberley Brewhouse, will also
hold a Meet the Brewer evening. Here you can learn about their beers as
well as the pleasures and difficulties of opening a new bar.
Why not join in the CAMRA events with like-minded beer aficionados?
Come along to the Pub of the Month at the Bakers Vaults. Or join a
“stagger” round the pubs of Heaton Norris East which will end up at the
Magnet. Then there is a tour of pubs and bars in Romiley, Marple and
Offerton, using the 384 service bus as transport.
Cider and perry is not forgotten either, with a tasting and meet the
producers’ event at the regional CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year, the
Petersgate Tap; it was a sell out last year, so get your tickets quickly by
contacting the venue.
Meanwhile, the Stockport County Supporters Collective are involved in
running the fiendish Stockport quiz at the Spinning Top. Expect a great
collection of ales from the people at Poynton Brewery who will be there as
well as ciders galore. A festival of local bands will finish the Week off at
this excellent music bar.
Beer Week Coordinator Chris Walkden said “Stockport punches well above
its weight when it comes to interesting pubs, breweries and the sheer
number and variety of beers available. The Beer Week already attracts
visitors from across Greater Manchester, as well as from Yorkshire,
Cheshire and Derbyshire and last year we also welcomed visitors from
places further afield such as Norfolk and South Wales. Most events are
free and this is an ideal opportunity to bring the beery highlights of the
town to a wider audience. Stockport is lucky to have such a range of pubs
and breweries which we can all enjoy; we need to support them and help
keep it that way”.
Full details and updates can be found on the local CAMRA website and social media.
