January - Magnet
The Magnet
51 Wellington Road North, Heaton Norris, Stockport SK4 1HJ
The Stockport & South Manchester Pub of the Month award for January 2014 is to be awarded to The Magnet on Wellington Road North, writes John Sutcliffe.
This Northern side of Stockport has over the last few years become something of a beer drinkers' Mecca where within a distance of less than a mile there is a choice of 30 interesting beers, in five or six superb traditional pubs. The Magnet was the first of these and remains a centre for choice and quality.
Built in 1840 the Magnet has retained its original name for 175 years. It was totally revitalised and reopened in November 2009 and has since then won an armful of CAMRA awards. It still retains the team of Lesley, Lee, Sarah and Roy, ably supported by friendly and knowledgeable staff. This year will see the Magnet become the town's second brew-pub when the brewery currently being built at the back of the pub comes on line.
Boasting 13 handpumps for beer and another for draught cider, the range is complemented by a large number of foreign bottled beers. These mostly appear on the main bar in a bustling vault to the left, leading to a lower pool room. To the right are a series of rooms separated by arched openings served by a smaller bar counter. These lead through to a covered smoking area with a wooden staircase to the upstairs beer terrace and function room.
There is a chosen charity, Kidneys for Life at MINT (Manchester Institute for Nephrology and Transplantation). This charity is based at Manchester Royal Infirmary and funds raised helps renal patients from all over the region. So far the Magnet has raised thousands of pounds through donations, cheese nights and the sale of pump clips. Unusually a string quartet performed in the late autumn.
The award will be presented on Thursday, 30th January 2014, so please join us from 8.00 until 11.30 p.m.
There is a very frequent 192 bus service along the A6 Wellington Road with the railway station about 20 minutes walk and the bus station 15 minutes walk.