Awards

Trafford and Hulme’s Autumn Pub of the Season is the Prairie Schooner Taphouse on Flixton Road in Urmston.

Ostensibly a micro pub but actually a decent size, with two distinct seating areas either side of an island bar. Owner Robert MacRae opened the bar two years ago and was named the branch’s best Newcomer in 2015. It’s second anniversary will coincide with the presentation of the award.

One recent reviewer likened the premises to bringing a bit of Chorlton or Didsbury to Urmston. Can make of that what you will but it has certainly enhanced an area which is up and coming on the leisure front where along with numerous restaurants many real ale outlets have sprung up in recent years.

The premises were formerly a shop selling golfing tackle. The emphasis now is on fermented malt and fruit, consumed in a tranquil atmosphere (no TV or background music). No meals are available but nuts and nibbles are available. Lovers of whisky and wine will also find something of interest and small batch gin is a recent addition.

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The Trafford & Hulme Pub Of The Season for Summer 2016 is The JP Joule.

Situated on Northenden Road in Sale, the JP Joule is just a few minutes’ walk away from the tram station, and is on several major bus routes.

Spread over 2 floors, with a bar on each, there are a total of 13 handpumps, ensuring a good range of real ale in this popular Wetherspoon pub.

‘House’ ales are Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best, and Sharps Doom Bar. Supporting LocAle, ‘guest’ ales are from local breweries including Dunscar Bridge, Phoenix, Robinsons and Weetwood (to name but a few), as well as, from slightly further afield, Hawkshead, Moorhouses, Peerless and Saltaire.

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The Trafford & Hulme Branch Pub of the Season for Spring 2016 is The Bar in Chorlton. The Bar on Wilbraham Road is one of the longest standing pubs in…