October - Fletcher Moss
1 William Street, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RQ
Stuart Ballantyne is a fan of Didsbury's pubs and explains why it won.
Tucked away on a side street off the busy Wilmslow Road the Fletcher Moss can easily be overlooked by visitors unfamiliar with Didsbury. Consequently the pub's main trade is with locals and it does not pander towards the transient student population.
Very much a community local, the pub supports local charities such as St. Ann's Hospice and Christie Hospital by hosting regular charity quizzes and acoustic music nights. The pub is everything a community pub should be; it doesn't feature gimmicks such as sport on TV, it is not a food driven operation and despite the introduction of local high profile competition, the pub has, if anything, become even busier. But how can this be you may ask?
It's all down to licensee Ken Mallion, his wife Lynn, deputy manager Mark and their team who make the running of a good pub look easy. Such is the quality of the service and the beers on sale that the Fletcher Moss now seems to be a perennial entry in the national Good Beer Guide. This year is no exception.
In addition to the regular three Hydes beers sold (Original, 1863, and Manchester's Finest) Hydes seasonal ale is also on sale. The Fletcher Moss has also very successfully introduced three guest beers and a traditional cider.
With record beer sales it will come as no surprise that the Fletcher Moss is to host its own beer festival featuring between 25 and 30 beers. This will take place from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 October. If you want to dine whilst visiting the beer festival then why not try the Fletcher Moss paella which will be cooked in the beer garden on Thursday night? Also don't overlook the live solo artist who will be playing on Sunday night.
So for continued excellence, the introduction of an extended beer range and for just being a damn good local's pub the Fletcher Moss has won the pub of the month award for October. Why not join the CAMRA group for the pub of the month presentation on Wednesday 26 October when the pub is likely to be very busy. Please note - the date of the presentation has been brought forward from the usual Thursday to Wednesday to avoid a clash with the Didsbury beer festival.
So please come and give your support to the Fletcher Moss, William Street, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RQ from 8pm, October 26th. It is served by the 23/23A, 42 and 370 busses from central Stockport and most 40/140 busses with East Didsbury in their destination from Manchester. East Didsbury and Burnage train stations are about equal distance away and involve a 10 minute walk.