RINGWOOD Brewery founder and microbrewery pioneer Peter Austin died last month, aged 92.

When he first started the business in 1978 it produced just 20 barrels a year from the site of a converted former bakery.

Ringwood Brewery is now part of the Marston’s empire, producing around 40,000 barrels.

After leaving the company Mr Austin worked as a brewing consultant, setting up around 40 new breweries in the UK, and many others overseas.

Born in Edmonton, north London, on July 18, 1921, Mr Austin was brought up among a family of brewers, and a great-uncle ran a brewery in Christchurch.

He sailed boats in Poole harbour during his school holidays, and went on to train with the merchant navy before joining P&O, but after contracting tuberculosis he switched to the family trade.

After an apprenticeship in Guildford he worked for thirty years at Hull Brewery, where he rose to become head brewer.

After moving to Hampshire he spent the next few years taking visitors on fishing trips, and in 1977 he set up a microbrewery in Herefordshire with Monty Python star Terry Jones, and Guardian writer Richard Boston.

Mr Austin started Ringwood Brewery at an old railway unit on the Ringwood Industrial Estate, soon joined by business partner David Welsh, and the pair began producing their award-winning beers Ringwood Best Bitter, Old Thumper, Fortyniner and XXXX porter.

In 1980, Mr Austin was appointed as the first chairman of the Society of Independent Brewers, then known as the Small Independent Brewers’ Association.

After his time at Ringwood, Mr Austin began working as a consultant for companies across the world, including in the United States, China, France and Nigeria.

He built some 140 breweries in 17 different countries and left a lasting legacy for the microbrewery industry in Britain and particularly in America.

Mr Austin, who died on January 1, was married twice, to Joan and Zena, who with his son Henry are deceased.

He leaves four children, Roland, Jane, Jeremy and Sarah; and two stepchildren, Philip and Leah.