Stockport breweries, pubs and drinkers are raising a glass to the town’s booming beer industry with over a week of celebrations.

Organised by the Stockport and South Manchester branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to coincide with National Cask Ale Week, the first-ever Stockport Beer Week kicks off on Thursday with a programme of tap takeovers, tours, talks and much more.

Chairman John Clarke said: “The town now has seven breweries with an eighth on the way, we think, and the pub scene, unlike in many satellite towns of Greater Manchester, doesn’t suffer from one of these really poor late night circuits.

“What we have is a collection of multi-beer freehouses, brew pubs, heritage pubs, pubs that specialise in high class food, so the Stockport beer and pub scene is something really quite special.

“We think it will be a great celebration of what this town has got to offer and it will hopefully not only help to put Stockport even more on the map but celebrate quality in the town’s pubs and beers.”

The programme was officially unveiled today at the town’s oldest and biggest brewery, Robinsons, in a ceremony attended by CAMRA members, brewers, Stockport council’s chief executive Eamonn Boyland, mayor Andrew Verdeille and mayoress Cleo Cundall.

Highlights include the monthly Foodie Friday at Stockport Market Hall this weekend, when High Peak Beers will be showcasing the best of locally-brewed bottled beers alongside the regular array of street food and live music.

Also in the Market Place, there will be a rare opportunity to visit the cellars of historic Staircase House, where there was a brewery in times gone by, on Saturday, while the Boar’s Head pub in neighbouring Vernon Street will also be opening its cellars for tours the same day.

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The festivities continue throughout the weekend, with The Hope Inn on Wellington Road North hosting a Stockport beer festival dedicated to tipples made by the town’s seven breweries, including its own Fool Hardy Ales, on Saturday and Sunday.

Just down the road, The Magnet will hold its monthly sap tap acoustic night on Friday October 2, showcasing up-and-coming local music talent, as well as a meet the brewer event with Sarah Watts, from its own Watts Brewing company, the night before.

Stockport Brewing Co will launch its new autumn beers at an open house event on Friday October 2, while the town’s oldest brewery Robinson’s will launch its next White Label speciality beer the night before.

Cryptic Ales will also be opening its doors and offering tours on Wednesday September 30, while Thirst Class Brewery takes over the taps at The Olde Vic in Edgeley on Tuesday September 29.

Other pubs getting involved in the action include the Crown, which will close the festival with a Stockport breweries tap takeover from Friday October 2 to Sunday October 4, along with live music from the Stockport Ukelele Orchestra and other local bands.

The Railway in Portwood will also host a tutored cider tasting on Sunday October 4.

A bitter brewed especially for the festival by Quantum, called Eleven Day Week, will also be available in freehouses around the town throughout the week.

Stockport Beer Week: Full programme

Thursday September 24

Spinning Top, Wellington Road South, SK4 1AA: Stockport Beer Week opening event from 8pm. Free entry.

Friday September 25

Stockport Stagger/Mini Hillgate Stagger: Meet at Little Jack Horners, Lord Street, SK1 3NA, at 7.30pm, or Waterloo, Waterloo Road, SK1 3BD, at 8.30pm.

Stockport Market Place: Foodie Friday featuring Stockport brewed bottled beers from High Peek Beer Company from 6pm to 9pm. Free entry.

Saturday September 26

The Hope, Wellington Road North: Sk4 2LL: Festival of Stockport brewed beers and live music in the evening. Free entry.

The Railway, Wellington Road North, SK4 1HF: Live music from the Removal Men from 8pm. Free entry.

Boar’s Head, Vernon Street, SK1 1ES: Cellar tours every hour from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. First come, first served and at participants’ own risk. Free entry.

Staircase House, Market Place, SK1 1ES: Archaeology, architecture and ale cellar tours with beer sampling from 2pm - 3.30pm. Did you know there used to be a brewery in the cellar? Includes beer sampling. Booking essential on 0161 474 4444.

Sunday September 27

The Hope, Wellington Road North, SK4 2LL: Festival of Stockport brewed beers. Free entry.

Tuesday September 29

The Olde Vic, Chatham Street, Edgeley, SK3 9ED: Thirst Class tap takeover and meet the brewer event. Free entry.

Wednesday September 30

Cryptic Ales Brewery, Carrington Field Street, SK1 3JN: Brewery open house including tours, about six beers on tap and new beer launch from 4pm to 8pm

Spinning Top, Wellington Road South, SK4 1AA: Live music from Band of Lords (formerly Atlanta Roots) from 9pm. Free entry.

The Olde Vic, Chatham Street, Edgeley, SK3 9ED: Live music in the evening. Free entry.

Thursday October 1

The Magnet, Wellington Road North, SK4 1HJ: Meet the brewer and charity cheeseboard evening. Free entry.

Robinsons Visitor Centre, Apsley Street, SK1 1YE: Launch of Robinsons’ next White Label speciality beer. Free entry.

Spinning Top, Wellington Road South, SK4 1AA: Live music from US blues artist John Emil from 9pm. Free entry.

The Chiverton Tap, Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 5AU: Beer quiz from 8pm.

Friday October 2

Stockport Brewing Co, Heaton Lane, SK4 1AQ: Open house from 4pm to 8pm with three to four beers on tap and new winter beers launch. Free entry.

Market Place pubs heritage walk: Starts at Staircase House at 7.30pm and lasts about an hour. Just turn up. Free entry.

The Crown, Heaton Lane, SK4 1AR: Stockport breweries tap takeover throughout the day and acoustic set from New Day from 8.30pm. Free entry.

The Magnet, Wellington Road North, SK4 1HJ: Sap Tap acoustic night with local bands from 8pm. Free entry.

Saturday October 3

The Crown, Heaton Lane, SK4 1AR: Stockport breweries tap takeover throughout the day with live music from Stockport Ukulele Orchestra from 3pm, followed by classic rock covers band Trip Hazzard. Free entry.

Sunday October 4

The Crown, Heaton Lane, SK4 1AR: Stockport breweries tap takeover throughout the day with Irish folk group jam from 3.30pm. Free entry.

The Railway, Avenue Street, Portwood, SK1 2BZ: Tutored cider tasting with John Clarke from 2pm. Free entry.

All week

Robinsons Visitor Centre, Apsley Street, SK1 1YE: Additional beer samples included in the price of a brewery tour. Booking advised. Standard tickets £9.95.

Bakers Vaults, Market Place, SK1 1ES: Guest beers will be from Stockport breweries. Free entry.

Calverts Court, St Petersgate, SK1 1EB: Cheshire vs Yorkshire beers brew off. Free entry.

The Magnet, Wellington Road North, SK4 1HJ:: Showcase of beers brewed by female brewers. Free entry.

The Navigation, Manchester Road, Heaton Norris, SK4 1HF: Enhanced range of Beartown beers to appear during the week. Free entry.

The Chiverton Tap, Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 5AU: Stockport beers showcase, featuring Cryptic, Foolhardy, Thirst Class, Quantum and Stockport Brewing Co. Free entry.