The Cocked Hat, Stockport

I see dead people??? You will if you visit here judging by the 5 ignorant gits leaning on the bar watching cricket who refused to move so I could get to the bar!! I stood in front of one of them so he couldn't see the telly and said excuse me, he didn't move. They must have dug this lot up and leaned them on the bar so that it looks full. It's all one room really with a divided section. There's a couple of nice fireplaces and it all looks pleasant enough, shame about the clientele. 6 handpumps on the bar, with a reasonable selection of ales. My half was in good nick.

Quite a change from my visit in March 2013 when this was called the Pack Horse. The six hand pumps on the bar were offering Thwaites Wainwright, Brimstage Trappers Hat, Red Willow Shameless, Blakemere Soul Rider, Hornbeam Black Coral Stout and Worth Blythe's Spirit. All beers were priced at £2.50 a pint, except in "happy hours" when they drop to £2.10, according to the A-board outside. The pub looks quite a bit smarter internally, and a lot pleasanter, with white or off-white paint instead of the aggressive red, with carpets, leather bench seating and plenty of B&W photos of Stockport to provide some points of interest on the walls. Service was friendly, though perhaps a little inexperienced with regard to the real ales. I'm sure this will improve. Also at the time of my visit it was a little difficult to get to the bar to see what was on the hand pumps, but I expect the regulars will get used to people peering over their shoulders. The pub's location next to the church and close to the market makes it an excellent showcase for good real ales, so I hope it's a success in its new guise. (Date of visit 16 November 2013)

Now called The Cocked Hat called in on the 1st of November very nice place nicely decorated but left unspoilt 6 hand pulls i had a pint of Lord Lucan was very good. Well worth a visit will call back

Reopened 20/09/2013. Now serving six Real Ales. Brimstage and Thwaites Wainwright permanent, plus four micros from the Chester area. Refurbishment in progress.