Bramhall’s new craft ale pub is runaway success
●●The Mounting Stone, 8 Woodford Road, Bramhall, SK7 2JJ
THE Mounting Stone is Stockport’s latest pub – and one of a growing number of micropubs in the town. If you include the three ‘beer shops with seats’ they are now eight in number with at least one more on the way.
This former cigarette shop opened its doors on June 25, as the culmination of a 10-month conversion project which involved a wholesale reconstruction of the premises. It’s an impressive job, too – but given that it’s been opened by the people behind Cheadle Hulme’s Chiverton Tap that is to be expected. It’s being looked after by Andrew O’Shea, one of the Chiverton Tap team who has now given up his day job to manage the Mounting Stone, and who kindly showed me round. The theme is loosely taken from an old blacksmiths that used to be nearby in the distant past.
Much use has been made of reclaimed wood and this gives the whole place a warm glow, and complements the other reclaimed items such as bottle crate light fittings and wall features incorporating old tools.
A feature has been made of the winch used to get casks into the cellar (which can be viewed through a glass panel in the spacious downstairs seating area).
This and the striking keg fonts were devised by Arcol Engineering of Colne.
There’s also plenty of fixed bench seating which adds another traditional touch.
This use of reclaimed materials is also carried through to the small outdoor beer garden at the back of the pub, where old casks and crates have been used to good effect.
So, what’s to drink? There’s a small but well-thought wine list and artisanal spirits too. But really it’s about the beer.
There are six cask beers with Bollington Brewery’s Long Hop and Best as the permanents, while the four changing guests will always include one dark beer.
There are also six keg beers, three from Salford’s Outstanding Brewery and three changing guests. Traditional cider is also available.
Food is limited to Tittertons pork pies (with chutney) or a bowl of olives. This is to be extended to include a cheeseboard.
There’s free wi-fi, it’s dog-friendly and you can take away flagons of beer should you wish. What more do you need? Pub games perhaps? Yes, there are those too, including mini table skittles.
I asked Andrew how everything had gone so far. “It’s been amazing” he told me. “We’re flying through the beer so it’s lucky we can have 18 casks on stillage at any one time.”
I’m not surprised to be honest. Given its demographic, central Bramhall has always had surprisingly little to offer in the way of decent beer (apart from the nearby Victorian) so I expect the Mounting Stone to be a runaway success. I’ll certainly be back. »●Opening hours: 4pm – 10.30pm (Monday and Tuesday); noon – 10.30pm (Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday); 12 noon – 11pm (Friday and Saturday).