AN old brewery is back up and running in Hartlebury, with big plans for its new range of ales.

The Hartlebury Brewing Co has been launched by Tap House pub owner David Higgs on the site of a former microbrewery in Station Road, which closed down two years ago when then head brewer John Farmer retired.

Now, just three months after the brewery was fired up again, Hartlebury Brewing Co is already working on its 4th ale, having sold barrels of its Off The Rails golden ale, American Pale Ale and Crusader Bitter to pubs and golf clubs across Worcestershire and the Black Country.

"The brewery was already filled with new brewing equipment when I bought it with the pub last year," said David. "Then my manager Tony, who has worked for me for years, said I want to learn how to brew.

"We went to John Farmer, who had been brewing ale for 40 years, and said can you teach him. He came out of retirement to do it and now Tony is running the whole operation himself.

"Obviously we had to apply for all the necessary licenses. We started out just selling it at the Tap House but it went so well that we started taking orders from elsewhere."

Since then, firkins have been shipped to pubs in Bewdley, Blakedown, Kidderminster and Bromsgrove, with Black Country Ales also placing an order for 18 barrels.

Hartlebury Brewing Co's next beverage will be a weaker lunchtime ale ready for the summer.

David and Tony eventually plan to open a takeaway service at the site, with bottled ales and branded merchandise available to buy.

"I really think this is going to put Hartlebury on the map," said David. "Our ales are the best selling beers at the pub now. People love them."

For more information, search Hartlebury Brewing Co on Facebook.