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”.
