The Hope, Heaton Norris, Stockport

Solidly attractive detached pub and micro-brewery, originally built as a Hardys' Crown Ales house (as evidenced by the imposing lettering at the roofline). Once inside, you find it retains a twin-bar layout - a vault to the left of the entrance (with a games room further back) and a larger, busier, slightly split-level lounge to the right. Unfussy, semi-traditional furniture and decor. As the Fool Hardy tap, we found six 'house' beers - from which I went for the Raum coffee stout (£1.65, half) - and a decent selection of guest ales on a total of 11 handpumps. Overall, well worth the walk out from Stockport town centre.

Official site of The Hope - www.thehopestockport.co.uk

Official site of The Hope - www.thehopestockport.co.uk

Pub number 9 for me on last week’s PuG crawl of Stockport and a very strong contender for Pub Of The Day, not least because I was so relieved to find such a good pub after climbing up the Wellington Road from St Petersgate. Well described by previous reviewers for our crawl I noted Riddle, Risky Blond, Rash Dash, Rhidonku, Raum and Oozy Rat Fool Hardy beers on alongside Neet Light Ales, Salopian Oracle, Dark Star Equinox, Thirst Class Ale Green Bullet Pale and Outstanding Brewery 3.9. Apologies to the in-house brewery but as Salopian is one of my favourites I went for the Oracle and very good it was too.. I can only concur with the previous reviewer, if you find yourself in Stockport invest in the shoe leather and make sure you don’t miss this one.

A very traditional exterior and home to the Fool Hardy brewery,this is a proper boozer.There are two room,so head right for the real ale pumps.This room has a raised section to one side,fitted bench seating with stools and a lived in feel.At the bar there will be 6 Fool Hardy ales along with 5 guests which on my trip were Salopian Rhapsody,Kingdom's Bitter,Isaac Poad 84 IPA,Abbeydale Absolution and Outstanding Brewery 3.9. The home ales will rotate depending on the brewing cycle ,my Risky Blonde was in good shape and all ales sampled by the crew were well kept. The left hand vault contains 9 kegs and real ciders and the beer menu describes a very large bottle selection .It is clear that everyone here is motivated by the persuit of beer excellence ,and although this was the first stop on a crawl of Stockport,it remained one of the best visited.Don't miss out on this gem.