Beer lovers set to flock to Stockport as popular ale trail returns
By Alasdair Perry 10th Apr 2026
The popular Mild Magic ale trail is returning to Stockport borough this spring.
The trail, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), will run from Friday 10 April until Sunday 17 May.
In that time, those taking part are invited to try cask mild ales at participating pubs in Stockport and beyond (throughout Manchester and Cheshire).
The more pubs you visit, the better the rewards you can pick up.
This year there are 102 pubs taking part, covering a wide area in and around Greater Manchester. Around a quarter of the pubs are in the Stockport borough area, so starting the trail could be as simple as taking a short stroll from your doorway.
To officially take part and start winning prizes, you'll have to visit 12 different pubs in different areas, and sample at least a half pint of cask mild in each one.
All entrants will also be entered into a draw for a trip round Bollington Brewery in September. And another lucky winner will be able to organise a trip around the RedWillow brewery in Macclesfield for themselves and five friends.
Organised by volunteers from CAMRA, Mild Magic started life in April 1994 as the Stockport Mild Challenge.
In April 1999 it became the Stockport and Manchester Mild Challenge.
It was later renamed Mild Magic, extending to Macclesfield in 2024.
The aim is to celebrate mild beer, a lighter, less-hopped drink generally favoured by people in agriculture and heavy industry to quench their thirst.
Here are the participating pubs in Stockport, by area.
- Bredbury – Steel Works
- Cheadle – Crown, James Watts, Wobbly Stamp
- Cheadle Hulme – Cross Keys, John Millington
- Davenport – Milliner
- Edgeley – Old Vic
- Gatley –Horse & Farrier
- Hazel Grove – George & Dragon
- Heald Green – Griffin
- Heaton Chapel – Heaton Hops
- Heaton Mersey – Griffin
- Heaton Norris – Nursery Inn
- Marple & Marple Bridge – Samuel Oldknow, Norfolk Arms, Northumberland Arms
- Romiley – Voltigeur
- Stockport – Angel, Bakers Vaults, Cocked Hat, Crown Inn, Magnet, Petersgate Tap, White Lion.
Full details of the trail, including rules, venues and a downloadable card for stickers can be found online here.
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