WHEN new managers arrived at The King Alfred’s Head in Wantage last year they decided they needed a unique draw to pull in punters.

So they decided to get their very own beer brewed using hops grown in the pub garden.

Michael Karbowski and Katie Leeke took over running the Market Place pub for Punch Taverns in October.

They teamed up with Wantage microbrewer Shaun Cunningham, who runs Adkin Brewery from his home in Adkin Way.

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He is now drying the hops in his greenhouse and hopes to have the brew ready for drinking in early November.

General manager Mr Karbowski said: “We didn’t want to miss such a great opportunity to make our own beer using the most local hops you can get.

“We can’t wait to see what Adkin Brewery makes for us.”

Mrs Leeke added: “It took quite a while to pick all the hops, but the whole team contributed and we’re hoping that it’s well worth the effort when we can proudly display our own beer in the pub.”

Mr Cunningham, 60, a member of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said he had no idea what type the hops were. The father-of-one, who has been brewing for 12 years, said: “The Alfred’s rang me up to say they had hops in their garden but didn’t know what type they were.

“I said ‘neither do I – but let’s brew something’.”

Mr Cunningham said brewing a beer was “just like brewing a cup of tea”.

He said: “You boil the water then add malt grist. You steep that in the water for an hour or an hour-and-a-half then add the hops.

“You boil the hops for an hour and a half, then cool it, then add the yeast.”

He joked: “Fingers crossed we’ll get something drinkable.”

Regulars will be able to sample the new brew at a small real ale festival at the pub during Wantage’s Dickensian Evening on Friday, December 5.

The managers are also holding a Greek Night on Friday, October 24, to celebrate the first anniversary of taking over the pub.

Mr Karbowski added: “We wanted to celebrate being at the pub for a year, and the success we have enjoyed, by organising an amazing night for our locals.’’

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