A NEW brewery has found its location just the ticket.

The Richmond Brewing Company has opened at The Station, and local drinkers are acquiring a taste for its Richmond Station Ale.

Andy Hamilton, who runs the brewery with business partner Richard Bowerman, is the latest tenant to move into the Victorian former station, which reopened in November after a £2.5m renovation.

"It is going very well at the moment and there is a lot of interest locally," said Mr Hamilton, a Master Brewer with 30 years' experience in the industry. He worked for large brewing companies before setting up in Richmond, where he has lived for four years.

Richmond Station Ale, a light bitter with four per cent alcohol, will be joined by two other brews in the next few weeks. Stump Cross Ale, a darker 4.7 per cent beverage, is named after Stump Cross Caverns, near Pateley Bridge, which are owned by Mr Bowerman.

SwALE - a play on the name of the river by which the station stands - will be a maltier 3.6 per cent ale.

The brewery produces 12 barrels a week. Bottles are available from the brewery, open Tuesdays to Saturdays and Sunday afternoons, and cask ale is served in The Station restaurant.