A DRUNKEN idea to open a brewery has become a reality for two Stourport brothers, who will be launching their own taproom in the town next month.

What started as a hobby for brothers Alex Vale, aged 31, and Seb, aged 27, soon became an obsession, which saw Alex open a pub in the garage of his family home.

The pair started out brewing for family and friends, and after their dad Kevin passed away two years ago, Alex and Seb decided to move on from the family business - New Wave Bathrooms in Kidderminster - and pursue their dream of opening a brewery.

Alex told The Shuttle: "I'd been brewing from home for about eight years for family parties. I'd brew some of my own and buy some in for people to drink, but when people kept drinking mine and started leaving the shop-bought stuff I knew it must be good.

"Me and Seb were having a few beers one day and one of us said we should start a brewery. Then we sobered up and the idea stuck - so Brothers of Ale was born."

The brothers got to work converting a 200-year-old unit in Baldwin Road into a brewery and taproom, which will open to the public on August 17.

"This place was an absolute wreck when we found it but we saw the potential," said Seb. "Our dad knew a lot of people in the area so we've had so many people pitching in to help.

"Without them, we wouldn't have been able to do this - particularly our wives who have held the fort and looked after our kids at home."

Alex and Seb have already come up with over 50 recipes for their own craft beers, including Peace Out, a straw-coloured ale which is available to try at The Black Star in Stourport, and The 7, a malty but sweet American pale ale.

Alongside a selection of their own cask ales, the taproom will feature guest beers, lagers, local farm ciders, spirits and wines, with barbecue street food sold in the carpark at weekends. The venue also has a live music licence.

Alex added: "The taproom and the brewery are all in the same room. It's open plan because we want people to feel part of the brewery. You know what you're drinking because you can see it being made.

"This is all we've wanted to do for years. We've put a lot of time and effort into this place and I'm just so proud to get to this point."

The Brothers of Ale taproom will be open Fridays 5pm to 11pm and Saturdays and Sundays 12pm to 11pm.

Search Brothers of Ale on Facebook for details.