“Not just another bar” should be the slogan for Stockport’s beloved Petersgate Tap. And it wouldn’t be a miss-sell. First opening for business in 2016, taking over a disused shop in a struggling part of town, the business has gone from strength to strength since then, picking up a slew of awards — not least the borough’s Cider Pub of the Year for half-a-decade on the bounce and consecutive listings in the iconic Good Beer Guide. Contributing to the revitalisation of surrounding streets, it’s proof that small-ish places can have a big impact when all the right ingredients are in place.
That’s certainly the case here. Or cask. Weak puns aside, the sheer range of what’s on offer from the taps is overwhelming, and certainly up there with the best craft brew spots in Greater Manchester. Timeless ales sit alongside modernist IPAs and fruit-infused hoppy treats, with resident beers holding it down alongside an ever-changing line of guests plucked from the local area, and much father afield (New York City blueberry cheesecake imperial stout, anyone?) The sort of place where you can keep coming back for more and still not make it through all the options available.
Beyond the beers and ciders you’ll find plenty of wines and spirits, and The Petersgate Tap also does a great line in food. Keeping it relatively traditional and pub-fare-focused, suppliers including Littlewoods Butchers over in Heaton Chapel prove the staff take eating almost as seriously as drinking, albeit with a more limited selection (including some of the best warm pork scratchings we’ve ever had). While less known for its events, the bar does have a charity pub quiz that has become a firm favourite, and regularly hosts live musicians for free-of-charge gigs. Suffice to say, then, the popularity of the address is more than understandable.