Motorists stopping to refuel at a Grove petrol station will soon be able to stock up ... on a range of home-brewed ales.

Peter Fowler, the manager of Bellingers Service Station, has recently completed the expansion of his Pitstop Brewery, which can produce 180 gallons per day.

The 57-year-old, who has more than 25 years of home brewing experience, is launching a new range of bottled cask ales to be sold alongside an existing selection in the garage shop.

Next month, customers stopping off to fill up at the service station in Station Road will be able to buy petrol and diesel and a range of aptly motor-themed ales, including Grand Prix, Pole Position, Penelope, Sump and Last Lap.

Mr Fowler said: “It is important for local businesses to look for new and innovative ways to bring in new customers during difficult economic times.

“There has been a real resurgence in real ales over the past year and I believe this is because consumers now have less disposable income and would rather pay for a beer with a taste that a mass-produced alternative.”

After starting out small with a home brewing kit in 1975, Mr Fowler’s ale brewing has gone from strength-to-strength.

The existing range of real ales in the garage shop — about 200 yards from the brewery — has already drawn in customers who have driven all the way from the Isle of Wight and Cornwall.

Mr Fowler also stocks ales from further afield including North American and Belgium beers.

Since stocking beer for the first time in November 2007, the station’s turnover has increased by 17 per cent, despite the recession.

Father-of-two Mr Fowler, who won first and second place at last year’s Wantage Beer Festival, said: “Selling alcohol from our garage site is ideal for customers. “They have plenty of space to park and can take their time choosing what they want.”

The nearby Royal Oak in Wantage stocks a variety of Mr Fowler’s ales.

He also sells to free houses within a 50-mile radius and supplies beer festivals and parties.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “With any premises that sell alcohol, the police will be working with staff to ensure they meet their conditions of their licence, including not selling alcohol to those who are underage.”

The new range of ales will be launched at the end of next month.