Bridge Beers, Stalybridge

Two-tier micro, traditionally done on both levels with some interesting objects d’art so plenty of effort has gone into the place. Downstairs is extremely tight when there’s more than half a dozen people in, upstairs is much more relaxing at that point. Perhaps surprisingly only three cask on (the rest are conditioning) but a good range of styles and my Phoenix Porter was very nice off stillage (NBSS 4) so if it’s quality over quantity, then who am I to argue? GBG listed, as you’d imagine. A pleasant 20 minute stop.

A small shop conversion micro and bottle shop, very nicely done inside with wood and interesting artifacts, photos and what is said to be the original sign from “The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn”. There’s a collection of framed beer mats showing old pubs of Stalybridge. The usual long thin configuration, counter to the left with between 8 and 10 casks stillaged behind in colour order, all from their own brewery, two blackboards above tell you what may be on, the owner will tell you which are actually on, there were three nice ones when I popped in. There is a disconnected Carlsberg keg tap as well, I suspect as a joke, if the bar staff are AWOL there’s a bell. Very full of aged beer lovers on my afternoon visit, it’s not big although there’s seats upstairs, downstairs seating is in the front area and along and opposite the counter. Somehow I couldn’t quite get into the vibe of this place, maybe it was just me, I did get into conversation with regulars so it’s not unfriendly. The bottles for sale are on shelves opposite the counter.

A really charming micropub in a former shop unit,with some seating in the window area,a clocking on machine on the wall ,then up a step is the bar which runs along the left well,some bar stools and a drinking shelf opposite the bar.There are many old Staly pub photos on the walls.The bar has a long row of ales on stillage and on entering the very friendly guv'nor explained that three were on namely Phoenix Black Bee,an excellent honey porter NBSS 4.5,together with Brightside Odin and Grafters,NBSS 3.5.Some of the house brews were still conditioning and the guest ales policy seems focussed on Locales. There is lots of wood panelling,interesting breweriana and a chatty atmosphere.This is another very good Staly micro and one I will return to in future.