April's Pub of the Month - John Millington
Thursday 26th of April
67 Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, SK8 7AA Map
Opening Times Editor, John Clarke, will explains why the Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month for April is the John Millington, Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle.
The John Millington (their website) is one of the newest pubs in Cheadle Hulme, and one of the newer pubs in the Hydes estate having been converted into a pub just w few years ago. It occupies the listed premises of the former Millington Hall and at the time the pub conversion attracted no little opposition from locals who were concerned about yet another licensed premises in the village.
Since then the John Millington has settled in to become a fixture of Cheadle Hulme village life.
Far from the rowdy den of iniquity predicted by the local nimbys the pub became known for a solid food offering and a reasonable range of Hydes ale. A food destination but not really a beer destination.
However that started to change in late 2010 when Matthew Abbot arrived as manager. Matthew is a cask ale fan and set about making the pub's beer offer as impressive as its other attractions. And so, as the beer trade has increased so has the number of cask ales on offer. Up to nine cask ales are on sale at weekends and apart from the regular Hydes beers (usually Original, Manchester's Finest and the current craft ale) guests come from a variety of brewers with the likes of Allgates, Marble and Hornbeam being amongst the favourites.
Apart from the beer side, the pub is thriving with events and promotions most nights - notably Mondays where there is 50p off cask ales all day. There are pub quizzes, live bands and even brewery visits. In short what could easily have been something of an anonymous suburban food destination is also making its mark as a proper community local. This is all down to the hard work of Matthew and his management team, including Louise Anderson and Paul Murren
It is appropriate then that this award is being presented during Community Pubs Month on Thursday 26th April from 8pm. To celebrate the award the John Millington is running a month long beer festival so we should be in for a beery treat on the presentation night.
This is quite an easy pub to get to. It's just a short walk from Cheadle Hulme station and buses 313 and 157 will take you there and back.
March's Pub of the Month - Railway (Portwood)
Thursday 22nd of March
Avenue Street, Portwood, Stockport, SK1 2BZ Map
Mike Gilroy is a regular and explains why the Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month for March is the Railway, Avenue Street, Portwood.
This is a multi award winning family run business; at the helm are Sue and Vince, with a crew of four talented staff: Brian, Frankie, Phil and Sara.
The pub has been under threat of demolition for many years but seems to have more lives than your average cat. It has once again had a reprieve for at least another 12 months before it is knocked down to make way for a supermarket (Sainsbury's will have to wait).
Meanwhile it is very much business as usual. The bar sports 14 hand pumps, serving cask ales from Pennine, Outstanding and Moorhouses breweries , with ever changing guest milds. Every Friday up to three guest beers are on sale; there is also a hand pump with Thornbridge "Jaipur" as a permanent feature.
The cider and perry are supplied by John Reek of Merrylegs Cider, so the quality is top notch. The perry is Weston's "Country" 4.5%, and as for cider, a different cider goes on as soon as the last barrel is empty, so you never know what cider is coming next, but you do know it will be good. A wide selection of Belgian, German and other bottled beers complete the range.
The pub has a railway theme, with a large loco mural at the back of the pub, and a model railway at the top of the bar. There is a bar-billiards table which gets used a lot, and card games (crib) are played around the pub. There is a quiz team and a darts team so the place is buzzing with different things going on.
And if all that wasn't enough, the Railway puts on up to three beer festivals a year and the same amount of cider festivals (which are not to be missed). All the local beer festivals get visited from this pub with buses/minibuses organized by Sue & Vince. For the Ramsbottom festival there was a vintage bus and a steam train used to get there.
The presentation is on Thursday 22 March from 8pm. The pub is just a short walk from Stockport Town Centre but buses 330 and 325 will drop you almost outside.
February's Pub of the Month - Ye Olde Woolpack
Thursday 23rd of February
70 Brinksway, Edgeley, Stockport, SK3 0BY Map
Pete Brown explains why Ye Olde Woolpack in Edgeley is Stockport and South Manchester's Pub of the Month for February 2012.
Ye Olde Woolpack on Brinksway, is a pub we almost lost. Closed for more than 12 months, its fate seemed uncertain until Mick Flynn and his family came to the rescue in November 2011. Situated on the banks of the River Mersey, close to the town centre and the M60 motorway (the Co-op pyramid is about 100yards away) it is ideally situated for passing trade and regulars alike. It is particularly popular in summer months with walkers and cyclists.
As you enter you are greeted by a U-shaped bar, with an open seating area to your left, and two small rooms to the right. There is the odd hand pump on the bar, 15 to be precise, five dispensing an ever changing range of quality beers, and 10 (yes I did say 10) given over to some of his range of up to 16 ciders and perries.
This makes Ye Olde Woolpack the pub in Stockport if you enjoy the occasional pint of cider. Add to this a range of bottled ciders and 14 German bottled beers; the Woolpack really does cater for everyone.
Lunchtime food is also on offer here with both a regular menu and a daily specials board. It is simple, no frills fare and excellent value for money.
As with any good pub, the people make all the difference. While much of its lunchtime trade comes from local businesses, there is also a loyal band of regulars old and new who ensure it has that "local" feel. There is a quiz night on Wednesday, and for those that like such things, Karaoke on Friday night. Add to that, the friendly, welcoming atmosphere created by the whole team and you end up with a great place to spend an afternoon or evening (or both). Not only have the efforts of Mick and the team prevented another pub from being turned into offices, but it steadily increasing in popularity. A fact illustrated by the speed with which the beers are changed.
All in all, a worthy recipient the Pub of the Month award. So please come along to the award presentation on Thursday 23 February from 8pm onwards.
January's Pub of the Month - Victoria Hotel
Tuesday 17th of January
438 Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester, M20 3BW Map
Let Mark McConachie tell you why the Victoria in Withington is Pub of the Month for January.
This is a very busy, community pub in the heart of Withington village. It boasts a fantastic bustling atmosphere visited by a more mature student population along with its regular clientele. It has a pro-CAMRA stance, in that it participates fully in campaigns for Mild, Winter Warmers, and Ciders. Fully refurbished to a high standard in August 2010, licensee Mark Burns and his team set about rebuilding the business as a traditional pub - with cask ales as the main focus. So true to cask are its staff, that they are all cask drinkers and are trained in cellar management. With quality as their watchword, it comes as no surprise to see Cask Marque accreditation here. And you know it is genuine as they maintain 10 hand-pulled beers, plus two ciders. If you're mad for cask, get down on a Thursday as all cask is a bargain £2.20 a pint!
If entertainment is your scene, Friday's alternate weekly between live bands and karaoke.
The pub is a big supporter of charities - St Ann's Hospice, and "Help for Heroes"; it also sponsors the MMU Woman's Football Club. Two successful beer festivals have been held - St Georges Day week (22nd to 29th April 2011) and the more recent early October event. Over 86 different cask ales were sold throughout that three-week period, with all beers selling-out, and more importantly for the business no wastage due to their excellent cellar management expertise. The regular beers are sourced nationwide along with local micros such as Phoenix, Hornbeam, Dunham, and Marble. These supplement the full Hydes range.
Hydes have recognised the achievements made here with nominations for Hydes Managed Pub of the Year and Runner-up in Cellar of the Year, whilst Assistant Manager, Laura Bodham won the coveted Hydes Employee of the Year.
Licensee Mark Burns has an interesting background - beginning as a Design Engineer in the aerospace industry in the US, Canada, and Australia, he changed tack in 2007 to become second chef at Hydes Quarrybank in Timperley. Roles as Barman, and Relief Manager quickly followed, then the relief position arose at the Victoria in Nov 2009. Mark says he has never looked back in all that time.
So come along for a great night on Tuesday 17th. The Victoria is at 438 Wilmslow Road, Withington M20 3BW, by Withington Library. Buses from the Stockport locale are 42, 22 and X57/157, along with 23/A, 84 and 370 (change at Didsbury); buses from Manchester are 41-3, 48, 142-3.
Pub of the Month for December - Paramount
Thursday 29th of December
33-35 Oxford Street City Centre, Manchester M1 4BH Map
Hear why Jim Flynn thinks this Good Beer Guide regular should be the Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month for December.
This very busy Wetherspoons pub while buzzing with conversation and life has a more relaxed ambiance than the frenetic atmosphere found in many other city centre pubs. Around the walls are old photos of theatres and cinemas from Manchester's old theatre land in the vicinity of the pub (from which it derives its name) and aptly is very handy today for many modern day venues. The pub is extremely pro CAMRA supporting all our local campaigns such as Mild Magic and the Winter Warmer Wander but it takes more than all this no doubt positive stuff however to make a pub of the month.
So has led to this award and what makes the Paramount different from many other Wetherspoon's pubsl? The answer is clear; what really gives it an edge is the passion the managers and staff have for their cask beers. When early in 2006 real ale enthusiasts Mark and Natalie Hodgson moved from the Wye Bridge House in Buxton to take over as the management team at the Paramount they set about improving the cask beer sales and they have succeeded in a massive way, making the pub a Good Beer Guide fixture for the last four editions.
Gone are the days when you can't find anybody behind the bar who knows anything about the beers on sale, its staff are well trained and customer orientated. Above all, although the number and variety of beers (and now ciders) available has increased considerably over the years, the quality is always of the highest standard. It always has beers from local micros as well as ales from further afield, all in excellent condition and all at Wetherspoon's bargain prices. Mention a new up and coming beer to Mark and low and behold the next day one of his team is on the phone endeavouring to bring it to the pub.
The December Pub of the Month is always a very lively and very popular affair lodged as it is between Christmas and New Year when most people are off work. So why not join the local CAMRA branch to celebrate the award which will be presented on Thursday, 29 December when, I am sure, a great night will be enjoyed by all. Come down and take this opportunity congratulate Mark, Natalie and their staff for the all their efforts in ensuring that the Paramount has continued to be such a beacon of excellence.
The pub is only a short walk from Piccadilly Gardens and two minutes from Oxford Road station and the St Peter's Square tram stop so there's no excuse, come on down on the 29th!
Grapes - Pub of the Month for November
Wednesday 23rd of November
196 London Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 4DQ Map
Let Chris Wainwright explain why this Good Beer Guide regular is the Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month for November.
ROBINSONS may have closed a number of struggling pubs in Hazel Grove lately, but no such worries exist about the future of November's Pub of the Month. George and Elaine have been in the Grapes for 18 years now. As if this level of longevity in one pub is not achievement enough, this year they celebrate 25 years with Robinsons. Older readers may remember them at the controls of the (now closed) Royal Mortar on Hillgate.
Well known and respected in the area the Woods have contributed to local events and charities from the
outset. The efforts of the customers each year in playing a major role in the Hazel Grove Carnival were rewarded earlier this year in them winning "Best Decorated Float". And it's those same regulars that will share a cheery welcome with you as you walk through the door, whether it is for the first time or the umpteenth time.
There has been some fairly dire beer sold in Hazel Grove, as is evident from a recent Stagger article in these pages, but there is however no doubt that the Grapes consistently deliver an excellent pint. The Unicorn bitter is always on top form and the Hatters mild is offered at two different temperatures for those that prefer a slightly cooler than usual tipple.
Testament to demand for George's cellar skills is the fact that this pub is driven on wet sales alone. You won't see any menus on tables; hear any deafening live music to shatter the peace. Even the jukebox is reasonably low key. What you will hear is good old bar room chat and banter. Customers actually having conversations with each other prove this is truly a pub for the community.
So come along for the presentation on Wednesday 23rd of November from 8.00pm and sample the atmosphere for yourself. The Grapes is in the middle of Hazel Grove (SK7 4DQ), on the bend in the A6 served by the 191, 192, 199 bus and just four minutes walk from Hazel Grove rail station.
Fletcher Moss - Pub of the Month for October
William Street, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RQ
Note change of date - Wednesday 26th
Stuart Ballantyne is a fan of Didsbury's pubs and explains why it won.
Tucked away on a side street off the busy Wilmslow Road the Fletcher Moss can easily be overlooked by visitors unfamiliar with Didsbury. Consequently the pub's main trade is with locals and it does not pander towards the transient student population.
Very much a community local, the pub supports local charities such as St. Ann's Hospice and Christie Hospital by hosting regular charity quizzes and acoustic music nights. The pub is everything a community pub should be; it doesn't feature gimmicks such as sport on TV, it is not a food driven operation and despite the introduction of local high profile competition, the pub has, if anything, become even busier. But how can this be you may ask?
It's all down to licensee Ken Mallion, his wife Lynn, deputy manager Mark and their team who make the running of a good pub look easy. Such is the quality of the service and the beers on sale that the Fletcher Moss now seems to be a perennial entry in the national Good Beer Guide. This year is no exception.
In addition to the regular three Hydes beers sold (Original, 1863, and Manchester's Finest) Hydes seasonal ale is also on sale. The Fletcher Moss has also very successfully introduced three guest beers and a traditional cider.
With record beer sales it will come as no surprise that the Fletcher Moss is to host its own beer festival featuring between 25 and 30 beers. This will take place from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 October. If you want to dine whilst visiting the beer festival then why not try the Fletcher Moss paella which will be cooked in the beer garden on Thursday night? Also don't overlook the live solo artist who will be playing on Sunday night.
So for continued excellence, the introduction of an extended beer range and for just being a damn good local's pub the Fletcher Moss has won the pub of the month award for October. Why not join the CAMRA group for the pub of the month presentation on Wednesday 26 October when the pub is likely to be very busy. Please note – the date of the presentation has been brought forward from the usual Thursday to Wednesday to avoid a clash with the Didsbury beer festival.
So please come and give your support to The Fingerpost, William Street, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RQ map here from 8pm, October 26th. It is served by the 23/23A, 42 and 370 busses from central Stockport and most 40/140 busses with East Didsbury in their destination from Manchester. East Didsbury and Burnage train stations are about equal distance away and involve a 10 minute walk.
Fingerpost - Pub of the Month for September
Hempshaw Lane, Offerton, Stockport, SK1 4QA
Chris Wainwright explains explains why, on Thursday September 22nd, the Fingerpost on Hempshaw Lane in Offerton will be awarded the Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA, Pub of the Month.
There is this month a new-comer to this column, being a first time winner of our prestigious award. The Fingerpost was built in the Victorian era, and dominates a cross-roads in Offerton.
Like many things Victorian, it is a solid red brick built affair with a bold white painted porch and large sash windows. A multi-roomed former hotel that has been a proud part of the Robinsons estate since their takeover of the old Bell's Brewery over 60 years ago.
Comprising of a large curved bar in the vault harking back to the days when most of the trade was provided by the working classes, and a smaller bar serving the lounge area. The vault is still suitably appointed so as to provide comfort for those not wanting too many modern trappings, without being too bare. The lounge side has all the comforts of a modern pub with three distinct drinking rooms in a semi open plan layout, with two meeting rooms at the end of the passageway.
Until recently it had been under the care of no less than three generations of one family. About eighteen months ago and just after Robinsons had spent a large amount of cash on structural repairs, Robert Lester arrived to take over the helm, ably assisted by family members Barbara and Meg.
No strangers to either the pub trade or Robinsons Brewery having run pubs in Whaley Bridge, Kirkham, Nantwich and Shrewsbury, they set about to restore the business to its former glory. They introduced homemade meals, reopened the upstairs function room and engaged live bands to complement the already established darts, cribbage and football teams.
Past visitors may remember the Robinsons Best Bitter and Mild being served through electric pumps, these were replaced with handpumps a few years ago when the beers were renamed Unicorn and Hatters. Credit for the sparkling quality of the beer is down to Robert's faultless cellarmanship. The Lesters have continued the Fingerpost's habit of supporting charities by holding family fun-days in the huge open space to the rear of the pub. There is still a very strong Stockport County FC following here too, with a band of regulars who insist on calling in for breakfast to start their journey to away matches, a tradition that Robert is happy to continue.
So please come and give your support to The Fingerpost, 434 Hempshaw Lane, Offerton, Stockport, SK1 4QA map here (With slight Google error!) from 8pm, September 22nd. It is served by the 383/384 and 358 busses.
Pub of the Month
Friendship - Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield
Margaret O'Brien explains why, on Thursday August 25th, the Friendship will be awarded the Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA, Pub of the Month.
This will be the third Pub of the Month award that Chris and Tricia Batty have won during their stewardship of the Friendship, a welcoming Hydes pub in central Fallowfield. They must be doing something right - so what makes the Friendship such a great pub?
It is of course in the heart of the university and student area of South Manchester and is surrounded by halls of residence. But despite that location the Friendship lives up to its name by being perhaps the last true local on the long stretch of road between the City Centre and Withington.
Refurbished this year to give the pub a fresh and modern look, the large horseshoe bar serves a variety of areas and can now accommodate 12 cask ales - offering the Hydes range, as well as varying guest beers. This is ideal for the many festivals the pub hosts (the next one is coming up between Friday 30th September and Sunday 2nd October).
The rear extension completed a few years ago has created the space for provision of interesting and popular Oriental food, including takeaways. Well positioned TV screens provide for sports fans, but to get away from the bustle and hubbub, there is the "Hyde Out" back bar for a peaceful drink and a chat. Come the good weather, a variety of outdoor drinking spots are available for people-watching or bus spotting even! Quizzes are held weekly - music on Sunday; general knowledge on Tuesday.
Beer quality is excellent and the Friendship is often to be found gracing the pages of CAMRA's national Good Beer Guide. There will certainly be good beer to be had on the night of our presentation - Thursday August 25th
The pub is very well served by public transport - the many buses that go up and down Wilmslow Road will drop you outside. From Stockport the 42 will suffice, while from Manchester anything with 40 something or 140 something on the front will do the same.
Pub of the Month - July
Milson Rhodes - School Lane, Didsbury
The Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month for July is the Milson Rhodes on School Lane in Didsbury. Didsbury pub fan Stuart Ballantyne went to visit this relative newcomer to the village's pub scene.
The Milson Rhodes is Wetherspoons first venture into Didsbury and it has introduced some much needed competition into the village. The pub is named after Dr. John Milson Rhodes (1847-1909) who has been described as 'a friend to humanity'. Dr. Rhodes lived in Didsbury treating patients with learning difficulties and epilepsy. He was so highly regarded that on his death Didsbury's four square clock tower on Wilmslow road was built to commemorate his life.
The manager of the Milson Rhodes is Kirstin Downham, formerly the duty manager at the Ford Madox Brown in Rusholme. She told Opening Times that she drinks cask beers herself and uses her own experience and beer preferences to choose which beers to sell. She always tries to mix well known beers with those of her own choice and from smaller breweries up and down the country. "I am always willing to try new beers" she says.
At the Milson Rhodes attention to detail is important. Kirstin has trained her own management team to ensure that quality is always high. She always supports local charities and regularly raises money for the nearby Christie hospital.
Kirstin's plans for the near future include running a mini Manchester beer festival featuring micro breweries across Greater Manchester and participating in the Wetherspoons cider festival. As if this were not enough, she is also in negotiations with a North West brewery to brew a beer to her own recipe.
For the new kid on the block, the Milson Rhodes has covered the ground fast. We will present Kirstin and her team with the Pub of the Month award for July on Thursday 28 July. To add to the celebrations on the same night from 7pm there will also be a "Meet the Brewer" event with representatives from Milestone Brewery.