Stockport

CROWN INN - 154 Heaton Lane

By far the best pub in Stockport for it's choice of beers. Unfortunately I'm not welcome in here because of a disagreement with one of the regulars. Nevertheless this can't detract from the fact that the pub is a treasure. It can be found underneath the railway viaduct. It boasts an ever-changing range of beers with 16 hand pumps with many beers changing daily and 2 guest farmhouse ciders. Regular beers include Copper Dragon : Golden Pippin 3.9%, Outstanding White (Wheat Beer) 5%, Pictish (various), Stowford Press Cider 4.5%,. They have also featured beers from breweries such as Dark Star Brewing Co, Anglo Dutch, Bradfield Brewery, Downton Brewery, Hopback, Hornbeam, Kelham Island Brewery, Lymestone Brewery, Marble, Millstones, Mayfields Brewery, Moorhouses, Springhead, Thornbridge Brewery to name but a few.The food is wholesome (if basic). Highly recommended.

ARDEN ARMS - 23 Millgate

A historic pub with a great atmosphere and excellent food. Sells the local brew - Robinsons. The beer I was weaned on and it's marvellous.

The Railway - Portwood

The Railway normally offers around 11 cask ales from the Pennine brewery. It's off the beaten track - not too far from the Arden Arms, but it's worth the walk. The Porter's Railway doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's a fantastic little pub. With about fifteen different hand pumps, each boasting a different real ale, it's a beer lover's dream. and if you're a cider drinker, worry not: you'll find some great varieties of that too, all pretty well priced.

The Magnet - Wellington Road North

Situated on the main road 200 metres from Stockport centre, heading towards Manchester. The pub only opened in 2010 and won the CAMRA 2011 Pub of the Year award for the area. It is due to open it's own on site brewery (Cellar Rat) in June 2011. There is a huge variety of real ales on offer including beers from Acorn brewery, Phoenix, Toad, Brewdog and Millstone. A great addition to the real ale scene of Stockport.

HAZEL GROVE - 3 miles or so south of Stockport

Pubs

Hazel Grove used to be a mecca for pub crawls - starting at the Rising Sun and visiting about 15 pubs within a half mile walk. Alas some of the pubs are not what they were and there are now a few wine bars in their place. However, it is still worth a visit because some of the pubs still serve a decent pint. Hazel Grove is predominantly made up of pubs from the local Robinsons brewery, which isn't a bad thing.

The Three Tunnes - London Road

Recently refurbished. A good example of decent Robbies beer.

The Grapes - London Road

Next door to The Tunnes. This is a busy, friendly pub that sells for me, the best beer in The Grove. Obviously it sells Robinson. They have a medium sized beer garden outside.