Westbury's new micro-brewery wants to establish its traditional hand-crafted ales as first choice for local pub-goers.

The Twisted Brewery Co started brewing on May 1 and is capable of producing 6,500 pints per week.

It currently brews three beers, Gaucho IPA, Pirate and, new for summer, Conscript.

Andrew Murray, owner, said: “The craft brewing industry has seen phenomenal growth recently and I think there’s the opportunity to brew quality ales with character for local people.

“We are currently focusing on supplying local pubs within about 10 miles of Westbury.”

Jon Pilling looks after the recipes, the brewing and the conditioning of the ales.

A brewer of renown, he has over 20 years of experience in the profession including time at the Grain Store Brewery in Rutland, the Exe Valley Brewery in Devon and for a time ran his own, The North Cotswold Brewery.

In previous editions of 300 Beers To Try Before You Die, a book published by one award-winning beer writer, Roger Protz, his Cotswold brewery beers Arctic Global Warmer and Monarch IPA were listed.

He said: “I decided to join Andrew because I know the area and he wanted to brew traditional ales using English hops.”

Originally from Newcastle Mr Murray has been a longtime resident of Westbury.

He said: “It is the humour and the friendliness of people in Westbury that you don’t find anywhere else.”

Mr Murray has worked in the licence trade for 15 years with the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute. He looks after the overall operation, sales and marketing.

Twisted beers can be sampled at pubs such as The Horse and Groom, in Westbury and The Fox and Hounds, in Warminster, and it is also being served at pubs in Frome, Salisbury and Bath.

Future plans include opening a brewery shop, running beer festivals and brewing a number of seasonal beers.