Chris Moss, the founder of the independent Wychwood Brewery who has died, got a taste for the industry after experi- menting with home brewing.

Paul Adams, the brewery's finance director, said: "Chris came into the business in 1985 but he had always been interested.

"He did home brewing and when the chance came along to do it for a living he merrily seized on it.

"He was so well known and had hundreds of friends because he was such an amiable sort of chap.

"He would always stop and chat to people, he was a great character.

"He played a great part in the continuing success of Wychwood Brewery."

He was dedicated to the brewing business, often starting work at 6.30am and delivering beer on his way home in the evenings.

He teamed up in the early 1980s with Paddy Glenny to form the Glenny Brewery at the former Clinch's brewery site, off Church Green, Witney.

Following Mr Glenny's emigration to Canada, the firm's name changed to Wychwood in 1990, with Mr Moss as brewing director.

The company has grown from producing 500 barrels every year to 25,000.

The flagship beer Hobgoblin is now the seventh biggest selling bottled beer in the UK and is exported all over the world. It has an estate of 28 managed pubs.

Mr Moss, of West Street, Osney, Oxford, died of a heart attack following comp- lications after a fall. He had been suffering from cancer.

A funeral service was held at St Frideswide's Church, Botley Road, Oxford.

Mr Moss leaves a widow, Jill, daughters Jess and Sophie and two grandchildren.