July - Calverts Court
The Calverts Court
13 St Petersgate, Stockport SK1 1EB
The Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month award for July has been awarded to the Calverts Court in Stockport. Jim Flynn is a fan and explains why it won.
To some people this award to a JD Wetherspoon 
pub housed in an old furniture store on Petersgate, Stockport, might be a surprise. Yes, it cannot be described as an architectural or historic gem but it is pne of the busiest pubs in the town centre and possibly across the borough as a whole. It boasts the usual Wetherspoon's attributes of value for money, a range of beers and confidence that you will not be short- changed on standards.
However, what has earned Calverts Court the accolade is the improvement in choice and quality of the cask beers (including milds) and ciders over the last 12 months or so. By the time of the award being presented it is planned that the number of guest cask beers (in addition to Abbot and Ruddles) will have been increased to seven, such is their increase in popularity. They have also over this time promoted a number of beer festivals, supported Mild Magic and Stockport Beer Week and held good quality meet the brewer events, such as with Titanic.
The pub itself is one very long room with the bar dominating most of the right-hand side. On the opposing wall are a series of alcoves which provide a degree of privacy to drinkers. A seated drinking patio at the front gives a continental feel in summer, and at the rear is another outside drinking area.
Congratulations are therefore in order to Rachael Brown, the pub manager and her Ale Champion, Tom Jones who has been encouraged to freshen up the beer and cider offering, which in turn has led to this award. So why not join the local CAMRA branch to celebrate with them and their staff on Thursday, 28 July when, a great night will be enjoyed by all.
The pub is right in the town centre on Petersgate, only 100 metres or so from the Market Place, less than a third of a mile from the main A6 and a half a mile from the station. It could not be more convenient for public transport.