WINCHESTER's newest brewery has been celebrating its first anniversary with an open day.

As part of the Hampshire Food Festival, the business opened its doors to the public on Saturday.  

Steve and Isabelle Haigh showed dozens of people around the micro-brewery in Winnall Valley Road.

Steve said: “We had a real mixture of people, families, young and old, people interested in the process and a few connoisseurs too.

“The first year has exceeded expectations on some fronts; picking up a couple of awards but it has been a steep learning curve.”

Alfred's has just bought a bigger brewing tank but the Haighs do not have plans for rapid expansion: “If it grows any bigger I would not be able to brew and that is why I took up the profession. It is something I enjoy a great deal.”

The water which makes up 93 per cent of their Saxon Bronze bitter comes from Easton.

“It is brewed here and drunk locally. There are really good reasons for having a local brewery,” added Steve.

The open day will be repeated on July 20.