SOMETHING is brewing in Wimborne. After almost 80 years, the town is home to a new Dorset brewery.

The Eight Arch Brewing Co. close to the banks of the River Allen, is named after the eight arches at nearby landmark, Julian’s Bridge.

Founder Steve Farrell, a self confessed hop-head, who was born and raised in Wimborne, says: “As a beer fan and a passionate home brewer for a number of years, I decided I would like to set up my own brewery.” The five-barrel brewery is the first brewery for years in a town that once had as many as five.

Steve is a fan of the new wave of brewers in the UK and around the world and says he has spent many happy hours of research to find his own style.

His first beers include Parabolic Pale (4.5 per cent abv) a pale prototype using American hops with a fresh, mellow flavour and Bowstring Bitter (3.8 per cent abv) a more traditional darker brew using only English hops.

He says: “As well as the core range, we will be brewing seasonal and one-off beers allowing us to experiment with the range of hops available to a modern brewer, together with non- traditional ingredients.”

Steve’s brand new kit will allow him to produce upwards of 1,500 pints per week. “We aim to use the best malt, hops and yeast to make our beers to the highest standard. We are passionate about beer as brewers and aim to share this passion through the beers we brew.”

His beers are now available at The Taphouse in Wimborne, The Owl’s Nest, West Parley and the Firkin Shed in Bournemouth.