August - Station Hop
Station Hop
815 Stockport Raod, Levenshulme M19 3BS
The Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month for August is the Station Hop on Stockport Road in Levenshulme. John Clarke went along.
When the Station Hop opened in February last year, it brought something new to Levenshulme's pub scene, as it has more of a craft beer vibe than the other local outlets. The stripped-back shop conversion, with its array of keg fonts alongside bottles and cans from new and innovative breweries, was a first for this up-and-coming suburb. The presence of two handpumps dispensing equally modern cask beers was also a welcome sight in an area where cask beer tends to have a precarious existence.
It's surprisingly big, as beyond the front bar, which was quite spartan at first but has since gained a more homely feel, are two further rooms, and outside is a beer garden that plays host to a variety of street food traders.
Since opening, this excellent bar, a project by beer enthusiasts Chris Buxton and Amanda Finch, has put down real roots in the community and has become a home from home for many locals. This is evidenced by the various activities that take place - from an increasingly popular homebrew club to a regular quiz night. The notice board, complete with details of local events and postcards from holidaying regulars, adds to and emphasises the community feel.
Of course the beer is important and here there's usually something for everyone. The bottles and cans cover all beer styles from the most modern IPAs to Belgian classics. The keg taps dispense an equally eclectic range of modern beers, while cask fans are well catered for by the two handpumped beers, one of which is very often a stout or porter.
Join us on Thursday 22 August when we present this very well-deserved award to Chris and Amanda. The Station Hop is just a short walk from Levenshulme station while the ever-reliable 192 bus will drop you very close by.