On arrival, turn right out of the station forecourt and a short walk brings you to the Brewhouse & Kitchen. Six of their in-house brewed cask ales were available and I sampled an Easter Chocolate Stout (4.5%) and the Unite Local Saison (4.3%). The Saison was not to my taste but the Chocolate Stout made up for that. Less than 5 minutes’ walk away on the main pedestrianised area is the Old Dancer (a CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2017 entry). Five cask ales were available and I chose Track El Capitan IPA at 5.7%. Train and bus took me back towards Stockport where I then made a detour to visit David Wild. Some of you may remember David as a regular Thursday visitor to Sheffield, where he enjoyed his Steak Pie in The Fat Cat. Unfortunately David is now virtually confined to his bungalow in Bredbury following a stroke, but still enjoys hearing about the local beer scene.
Back into Stockport now and to Wellington Road North, which is known as the “Stockport Slope”. I must say though, compared to some of the hills of Sheffield, I would liken it more to a slight incline rather than a steep hill! The pubs in this area are, however, very good. My first stop was the Magnet (GBG 2017 listed) where from their extensive range I sampled Fixed Wheel Single Speed Cluster (4.5%), Manchester Brewing Co Some Might Say Session IPA (4.4%) and Track Valpo Red Ale (5%). Further up the “Slope” is the Hope (GBG 2017 listed and the home of Fool Hardy Ales). A couple of their own ales were sampled here, Retro Chique (3.9%) and Ritual (4.7%), followed by Cocksure Brewing Company P’Ale (4.5%). Other pubs in this area could have been visited but I chose to travel across Stockport to the Market Place area and started at Robinson’s Bakers Vaults (GBG 2017 listed). A range of Robinsons and guest beers are available and I had Box Steam Soul Train (4.7%). Crossing the Market Square brings you to the Remedy Bar & Brewhouse, a relatively new pub which recently held a very successful beer festival. Among the guest beers, only one brew from their own in house plant (which is clearly visible from inside the bar) was available and duly tried. It was a very smooth and drinkable Laevis Dark Mild (3.7%).
Heading back towards the station is the Calverts Court (Wetherspoons) where Wolf Woild Moild (4.8%) was sampled. The final call was to the Petersgate Tap, a relatively new establishment in the micro pub style. Rammy Craft Liquorice Root Stout (4.6%) was sampled which was a smooth tasty end to my visit to Stockport. On arrival back in Sheffield, there was just time for a swift half of Thwaites Nutty Black in the Old Queens Head. Beer quality throughout had been very good and there are still plenty of pubs to visit in Stockport on a future Grand Day Out, maybe even next month.
Cheers.
Andrew Morton
Stockport and its Slope
The trip this month was the relatively short one to Stockport, about 40 minutes away on the train. Arriving mid-morning and armed with a Stockport Plus-Bus ticket the first journey was to Cheadle Hulme where I had to purchase an off-peak day return to Wilmslow.