And the grand prize for best bar name in South Manchester goes to… Maybe not Reddish Ale, depending non how strict you are about borders. Fine print aside, this beloved tiny pub in Stockport’s Reddish neighbourhood sets the tone well with the sign above its door, nodding to the beautiful Reddish Vale Country Park nearby — home to the world famous viaduct, among other landmarks. Owned by brothers Christopher and Craig Ballinger, the guys aim to “bring the best of a Northern boozer to a shop front built in 1903”, focusing on cask ale and craft beers, with a particular emphasis on British drinks.
So think RedWillow, Thornbridge, Track, Blackjack, Runaway, Pentrich, Rivington, Abbeydale, Ashover and Big Trip, among other standout breweries based round these parts, or close enough by. Meanwhile, The Kernel and Pressure Drop make the journey up from London to Reddish Ale, and the likes of Augustiner Helles reflect a penchant for high quality German lagers. Exactly the sort of selection you might expect considering co-founder Craig regularly writes for prestigious food, drink, travel and culture publications like Pellicle, Hop & Barley, Roads & Kingdoms, and Ferment. Which is a nice segue into what’s happening in the kitchen, where he also takes a lead as chef, priding himself on top quality and — where possible — organic ingredients.
Offering a seasonal menu, things change regularly at Reddish Ale apart from the days of the week. For example, Mondays offer reduced prices and are a favourite of hospitality workers, then you have (chicken) Wing Wednesdays, sources from local butchers, Littlewoods, and an emphasis on specials for Thursdays, ranging from small plates to pizza, steak night and fish & chips. In winter, Sunday roasts come with the bonus of live vinyl DJ sets by the team and special guests. During summertime the end of the week still has great tunes, but customers are given a choice of incredible grilled dishes. Oh, and there are regular collaborations with local institutions like Baan Phad Thai, Cafe Sanjuan, Wineboy and Runaway Brewery.