A NEW brewer is getting access to the freshest ingredients as it sets up home in the heart of hop country.

Unity Brew House has started a brewery at one of the UK’s largest hop providers, Stocks Farm in Suckley, near Malvern.

The business was founded by Hani and Sarah Saleh, who have been married for nearly 20 years, and decided it was time to stop pursuing their separate careers and start working together to create a quality product they are both passionate about.

They relocated from London to set up the company and now live in Alfrick.

They started off making beer at home, and they are now converting old farm buildings to expand their production and allow for barrel and bottled beer production.

Currently, they produce four bottled beers: an amber ale, an IPA, a porter and a golden ale, but they plan to start making beer in barrels for the pub trade.

Mrs Saleh said: "We are in the process of getting our brewery set up in a former poultry shed. Stocks Farm is one of the leading hop growers in the UK, so it's a very exciting prospect being able to brew beer on the same site as our hops are grown and processed.

"When completed, our brewery will consist of a ten-barrel brew house and all the fittings required to produce high quality real ale, both in bottles and casks."

Former teacher Mrs Saleh is the brewer. She began brewing at home before undergoing formal training at the Brew Lab in Sunderland, and doing work experience at a number of breweries.

Mr Saleh used to work in the financial industry, and brings his knowledge of management and logistics to the brewing business, as well as driving the company van to deliver the finished product.

Their efforts have been praised by MP Harriett Baldwin, who said: “Stocks Farm hops are sold to make world-class beers all over the world so it seems logical that someone would want to create a properly local brew. I wish them good luck with their new venture."

Unity Brew House beers are currently available from Alfrick Village Shop, Crumpton Hill Farm Shop in Storridge, Legges of Bromyard, Hamps Wines at the Fold, Bransford, and Link Wines in Malvern Link.