October - George & Dragon
George & Dragon
14 London Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 4AH
October’s Pub of the Month is the George & Dragon in Hazel Grove. Lawrence Devaney explains why it won.
You cannot miss the George & Dragon as you pass on a 192 bus, or park at Sainsbury’s. It’s unusual, as you don’t get many pubs built to a mock Tudor style which just about squeezes in two floors. Greene King is the current operator but that doesn’t mean that the beer choice is limited to their ales.
Nick Lanigan and Adam White, respectively manager and deputy, offer an interesting selection of guest beers. They are not afraid of providing a dark beer and supported Mild Magic with Coach House Gunpowder Mild, which flew out. As a result, Nick has two regulars who now drink Gunpowder Mild instead of their previous choice, a lager! At the time of my visit, Black Sheep Respire (4%), a seasonal session IPA, was one of three cask ales. The others were Thornbridge Astryd and Greene King Yardbird. Waiting to go on were Gunpowder Mild, now a regular on the bar, and Thornbridge Jaipur. Cider is available, if you like Lilley’s.
The pub was originally a Chesters Brewery house and was probably divided into several rooms, as indicated by the residual supporting buttresses. Today, it’s as open plan as you can get but with areas functioned for purpose. A long bar dominates, with the space leading to a clear dining area, whilst the other side is used as a mixed drinking and dining space. The menu usually offers typical pub favourites, and is good value. A smaller area to the right as you enter off the A6 has a pool table. The pub was refurbished four years ago, but retains its traditional décor and a ceiling that defies description.
Not a lot of people know this, but the George & Dragon claims that it was the first pub in the country to ban smoking inside, predating Wetherspoons in May 2006 and the legislation of July 2007. Today, the pub supports a quiz night on Mondays at 7:30pm and live music on Saturdays; and four to five times a year hosts a maker’s market. By the time you read this, the pub should be able to boast its own pool team.
CAMRA will be there on on Thursday 26 October to present the Pub of the Month award. The presentation will be around 9pm but come along early and try a few beers yourself. Transport is straightforward, with the 192 bus service running at regular intervals past the pub.