Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA’s mild beer trail, the country’s longest running and largest of its kind, has been declared a major success as records were broken all round.

Mild Magic is organised by the Stockport & South Manchester branch, in association with the High Peak branch, which covers Tameside and north Derbyshire.

It ran for six weeks in April and May and involved 100 pubs. Participants had to visit at least 12 to start winning prizes and were encouraged to nominate their favourite pub and mild beer.

During the six weeks of the event, 70 milds from 53 breweries were reported, up on last year’s record levels. Participating pubs covered a large area, from Salford and Manchester out to towns in Tameside and north Derbyshire, as well as Stockport.

The number of people taking part increased by an impressive 40 per cent on last year to 153, with the number of pub visits jumping up by a similar percentage to more than 3,200.

All participants received prizes including garments embroidered with the unique Mild Magic logo. In addition, everyone was entered into a prize draw to visit either Marble or Hydes brewery in Salford.

Entrants were also asked to vote for their favourite mild pub and beer. The pub award was won by the Petersgate Tap in Stockport, which served seven milds during the trail. The highest number of milds reported in a single pub was 10, at the Britons Protection in Manchester.

The drinkers’ favourite mild came from Joseph Holt in Manchester. Its beer, Unmistakably Mild, was brewed especially for the trail and proved to be popular, not only with Mild Magicians, but also with regulars in Holt’s pubs.

Mild Magic organiser Darren Berry said: “The volunteer organising team is delighted that pubs, breweries and drinkers were so eager to help preserve this rare beer style.

“I’d like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make the event a big success, and especially to all who took part. We are now looking forward to an even better Mild Magic in 2024.”

Pictured: Holts brewery head brewer Phil Parkinson receives his certificate for Unmistakably Mild, being voted Mild Magic 2023 Champion Mild.