The Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month for October is the Pack Horse on the Market Place.

The Pack Horse is a good old-fashioned market pub with a traditional atmosphere and layout. There has been some modernisation and opening up over the years but there are still no less than three separate rooms – to the left a large tiled area with a public bar feel, and to the right two well appointed lounges. The whole pub has been redecorated in recent years to give the whole place an uplift but with no loss of character. There is also a beer garden for smokers and those who enjoy al fresco drinking.

Of course the Pack Horse really comes into its own when the market is on – with a lively lunchtime crowd enjoying the good value meals.  It can sometimes be quieter at night but is in no way less appealing with Sky TV and also free pool on Tuesdays.

But of course for many people, the big attraction is the beer. There are currently three cask beers available – Tetley Bitter, Deuchars IPA and Copper Dragon Bitter, the latter proving very popular. It is possible that this range will also be joined by Copper Dragon 1816.

The team behind this excellent local is Frank Mooney, Debbie and Colin who have done an excellent job in the two years they have been there, particularly on the beer front , not only steering the pub into the new 2009 Good Beer Guide but also gaining Cask Marque accreditation.

All of this excellent beer can be sampled on the presentation night, Thursday 23 October. M O’B.

The Pack Horse is in the centre of Stockport at 2 Market Place.