Mild Magic
Friday 10 April to Sunday 17 May 2026
P A G E U N D E R C O N S T R U C T I O N
Evolution of Mild Magic
We are now entering the 32nd year of what is now Mild Magic. We think this is the longest-running local mild promotion in CAMRA, so let’s have a look back to see how things have changed.
Mild Magic started life in April 1994 as the Stockport Mild Challenge (read about it in Opening Times page 10). Run in conjunction with the Stockport Express Advertiser, it was originally devised as a celebration of Stockport’s position as one of the remaining strongholds of traditional cask mild. No fewer than 52 pubs took part (full list and subsequent history here) and it’s a sign of the times that 26 of those pubs have subsequently closed, and a further three no longer sell cask beer.
The Challenge ran again in April 1995 and then took a break until November 1997. There was then a further hiatus until April 1999 when it returned as the Stockport & Manchester Mild Challenge featuring 50 pubs over a wider area, including Manchester City Centre, Gorton, New Mills and Whaley Bridge. In recent year, after linking up with other branches of CAMRA and with support from Hydes, Holts and Wetherspoons the area has expanded to stretch from Altringham to Swinton, via Manchester to Stalybridge and Glossop to Chapel-en-la-frith. We now include Macclesfield and last year expanded to include Buxton, meaning we are (probably) at our maximum size.
Mild is an endangered species!
Until 2015 the Manchester region could boast the enviable position of having all four local family brewers (Hydes, Holts, J W Lees and Robinsons) producing at least one mild. That is until Robinsons decided to terminate production of mild. Thankfully the other three are still brewing a mild, with Hydes brewing two: 1863 - notice the correlation with their logo! - originally a light mild (often badged as session ale these days) and their classic Ruby Mild. Added to this are a number of smaller local micro breweries who are creating a plethora of additional milds, with several eagerly anticipated collaborations anoynced.
Hydes have agreed to sponsor Mild Magic for 2026 and there are many Joseph Holt's pubs featured on Mild Magic.
Unlike 2025, Hydes are not brewing a special mild, but both Holts and Robinsons are bringing out special milds — but don't get too excited.
Holts are brewing a 5.3% ABV mild just for Mild Magic, and they have assured us it will be available in all their participating pubs (at least until we drink it all!). More information when they release it.
Robinsons, have played a blinder and have two milds as part of their seasonal range but...
Eclipse is available in February and Broken Record in autumn, so none of their pubs are participating .
Mild Magic Tours
Three socials based around Mild Magic are planned.
Firstly, there is an opening event on Friday evening 10 April visiting Stockport town centre. Starting at 6:30pm in the Nursery, thence travelling to the Magnet for 7:15pm followed, at 8:00pm, by the Crown (Heaton Lane). We will then make our mind where to visit next from the array of potential outlets, namely Ye Olde Vic, White Lion, Angel Inn, Bakers Vaults, Cocked Hat or Petersgate Tap. Full details here.
Secondly we are embarking on an expedition into Cheshire with an afternoon saunter around a selection of pubs in Macclesfield on Friday 1 May. There is the option to pick up more stickers/pubs/areas on your journey home. A number of travel options are available, but a basic summary is "Be in Macclesfield by 1pm, with a return to Stockport by 7pm" (earlier options are available).
Thirdly, not exactly a Mild Magic outing, but cunningly created to encompass a few participating pubs, is the May Weekday Wander. Details have still to be finalised and details added post haste.
Feedback Welcome
Please feel free to give us feedback on how you found taking part in Mild Magic using the email below. We would like to know about unusual milds you encounter, problems with stickers, mild not available, enjoyable encounters, inaccurate opening hours or anything else. This data will be used to update information for other participants.
mildmagic@ssm.camra.org.uk
PS: You could also use this email address to say 'Thank you' to the organisers!
What does Mild Magic entail?
This CAMRA, National award-winning event, is at heart a simple ale trail. With 102 participating pubs in the 2026 event, we don't ask you to do ALL of them!
"But what do we have to do?" I hear you saying.
The Mild Challenge can be completed on any one of four levels but with one overriding principle. When you visit a pub and consume a pint (or half) of cask-conditioned mild you request a sticker to attach to your Mild Magic card. No matter how many times you visit a pub, nor how many different milds you may consume, it is strictly one sticker only per pub.
To complete Mild Magic, choose 12 different areas and visit one pub in each area, eg Stockport Centre, Cheadle Hulme, Didsbury et cetera and collect a sticker from each of these 12 areas and win a Mild Magic T‑shirt emblazoned with the Mild Magic logo.
Upping the achievement to complete Mild Magic Extra requires you to choose24 different areas to be visited and collecting a voucher from one pub in each, i.e. twice as challenging as Mild Magic. This elevates your garment to a polo shirt, again emblazoned with the Mild Magic logo, along with a voucher for one half-pint of mild to be redeemed at the 2026 Stockport Beer and Cider Festival held in the Stockport Masonic Guildhall on the A6 opposite Stockport College, (see below for this year's method of redeeming your vouchers).
Now the stakes are get higher for Mild Magic Super. Your are required to collect stickers from a total of 48 different pubs and to visit a minimum of 36 different areas (but there is nothing stopping you setting a personal target of 48 pubs in 48 areas!) For this you will receive a Mild Magic sweatshirt and two half-pint beer vouchers to be redeemed at the 2026 Stockport Beer and Cider Festival. We hope that this will encourage you to visit pubs new to you.
The ultimate challenge is Mild Magic Ultra. To achieve this you need to collect a sticker from ALL participating pubs. For this you will receive two Mild Magic shirts, both a polo shirt and a sweatshirt, plus three half-pint beer vouchers to use at the 2026 Stockport Beer & Cider Festival.
No matter which of the above you undertake, here is a fun extra challenge, Mild Magic Scrabble. Each participating pub has an associated letter randomly selected from A, C, D, G, I, L or M, which are the constituent letters of MILD MAGIC. The challenge is to collect enough stickers on one of your cards to spell out MILD MAGIC. If you decide to participate in this extra challenge, we have helped you by spelling out MILD MAGIC on the first nine squares on your card. So when you bag a letter, stick it in the relevant square. For this you will be rewarded with an additional two vouchers to be used at the 2026 Stockport Beer & Cider Festival.
Everyone who participates also has the option of being entered into a draw to take up one of a limited number of invitations to tour a brewery. These are still being negotiated, so more details nearer the time. Full meet-up details will be provided along with your invitation (if successful).
What do I do when I have finished?
Post all your completed cards to this address:
Mild Magic, 4 St Anns Road North, Heald Green, Stockport, SK8 3SE
[also given on the card] to arrive by Saturday 23 May, 2026 (only one submission [but all cards completed] per person). Receipt of the cards will be acknowledged electronically, so do remember to include an email address (or mobile phone if no email possessed).
Please note: Electronic entries will NOT be accepted.
Collecting your rewards
Garments and mild vouchers will all be dispensed from the CAMRA Shop during the public session of the 2026 Stockport Beer and Cider Festival between 18th and 20st June. Make sure to bring along the electronic device upon which you received your confirmation, though assuming this is your mobile phone it probably never leaves your side!
PLEASE NOTE: Free entry for CAMRA members to the festival is only an option if pre-booked, check for booking details at their website: www.stockportfestival.org.uk
If you are unable to attend the Festival an alternative can be negotiated by consultation with the organiser via mildmagic@ssm.camra.org.uk. All garments are graced by a bespoke version of the Mild Magic insignia.
Please do remember to include your size, but do bear with us as we can't control the manufacturer's interpretation of sizes, so if you are borderline, ie sometimes medium is a snug fit, it may be better to order judiciously.
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Paperwork
Entry card still under construction.
Fancy a poster, or need extra for your pub?
Full format Download poster
If your printer stops short of the paper edge, here is a version with feathered edges Simplified poster