September - Calverts Court
13 St Petersgate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1EB
The Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month award for September 2012 has been awarded to the Calverts Court, Petersgate, Stockport, writes Jim Flynn.
When this Wetherspoon's pub was opened 11 years ago in an old furniture store it was welcomed by many, hoping that it would waken up the town centre pub scene. These hopes were dashed as instead it turned into a rather mediocre affair with somewhat indifferent quality and choice.
This award is testimony that all that changed with arrival of Richard Cripps and his team. Calverts Court is now fulfilling the hopes of over a decade ago. Before coming to Stockport he ran the Bollin Fee in Wilmslow for four years, a pub that didn't really know what real ale was when he got there but which was awarded a place in The Good Beer Guide just before he left.
The pub currently sells 2000 pints of cask beer a week which is double what was sold when Richard first arrived. Five guest ales are always available (along with the usual Abbot and Ruddles) and Richard is keen to mix nationally available ales with those from local breweries. In addition at least one traditional cider is normally to be had. Richard and his team are always open to suggestions and have a 'Royal Ale' post box where customers can post a suggestion which they will then try our best to get in. Monthly meet the brewer nights are held and also a bi-monthly brewery tour at one of the local breweries.
They have a passionate team with special mentions on the beer front to Rich ('Chappers'), a new addition to the management team as one of Richard's deputies, who has a very keen interest in cask beer (he worked as a volunteer at the Stockport Beer and Cider Festival) and Paul a bar associate being heavily involved with the organisation of ale events. So why not join the local CAMRA branch to celebrate the award which will be presented to Richard and all his staff on Thursday, 27 September when, I am sure, a great night will be enjoyed by all.