December - Fred's Ale House
Fred's Ale House
843 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3PW
The Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month award for December has been awarded to Fred's Ale House on Stockport Road, Levenshulme. Jim Flynn tells you why it won.
The opening of Fred's Ale House by the Hennigan family in 2015 was really the first recognition that the Levenshulme pub scene was changing, and that there was a demand for real ale in the area. This independent bar, named because the building once housed a Betfred bookies, is set over three floors. It is part bar, part coffee shop, and also an art gallery, but the emphasis is very much on the beer.
The entrance area, which can be opened
to the elements in the summer, has comfortable furnishing and is marked by decorative tiling from when this was once a UCP tripe shop (photo right - View full screen). Inside the narrow interior, the stylish bar is set to the left, with seating at the front and rear leading to an outside drinking and smoking area. The more spartan basement is a large drinking area-cum-gallery space, and can accommodate live gigs and acoustic acts. The upstairs lounge has more seating and a sun terrace balcony.
Ben Krnjulac, the manager, has worked for the Hennigans for 15 years, previously at M19, and has been licensee at Fred's Ale House since the end of lockdown. Prior to that, the bar had struggled for management and Ben has certainly steadied the ship, so much so that Fred's is now back in the 2023 Good Beer Guide after a period in the wilderness.
Fred's has six cask beers, usually including Marston's Wainwright, beers from Blackjack and Brightside, as well as rotating guest beers from a wide range of breweries. Often a real cider is also found on handpump. Thursday (the night of the presentation) is designated as ‘Thirsty Thurday', with specified cask beers at £2.50 per pint from 4pm.
So why not join the local CAMRA branch on Thursday 29 December, when the Pub of the Month Award will be presented to Ben and his hard-working staff? I am sure a really great night will be enjoyed by all. Don't miss it!
The pub is on the 192 bus route, with buses every few minutes throughout the evening, as well as on the 150, 197 and 172 cross-city bus routes which also serve Levenshulme, and within a few hundred meters is Levenshulme station; so there is no excuse for missing out on what will be an excellent evening!