A FRENSHAM micro-brewery has cause for a double celebration after sell-out success over the festive period was followed by planning permission to expand.

Frensham Brewery enjoyed an impressive 2015 and has kicked off the new year with the announcement it has received planning permission to convert an outbuilding at Pierrepont Farm into a bigger and better brewery and tap room.

Emily Stephens, who opened the brewery in a disused milking parlour with husband Miles in 2014, said: “We are moving some 40 metres toward the back of the farm, just behind the courtyard which will allow us to grow, with the most exceptional view across the water meadow.

“The Countryside Restoration Trust who owns Pierrepont Farm put in for planning permission for all the outbuildings on the farm. They are prioritising our move first, and will then start work on the other buildings.

“Our new tap room is due to open around July time, which should celebrate our second birthday with a bang!”

Miles and Emily hope that the move into a better space will allow them to serve their beer to more people directly, with plans to introduce ‘night owl’ events in the near future.

It comes after the brewery won its second Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) award last November for its beer Owlswood, voted ‘Best Porter’ at Woking Beer Festival.

This award was followed by a season of success across the festive period, capped by its status as the exclusive brewery at the Farnham Maltings’ Christmas fair.

December was also a sell-out month and Emily added: “We had practically sold out by Christmas Eve which was a great problem to have. We managed to save a few casks back for New Year but they soon got swallowed up.”

Emily also expressed “special thanks” to The Bel and the Dragon in Churt and The Bluebell in Dockenfield after both stocked Frensham Brewery beers throughout 2015.

And 2016 looks to be another busy year for the couple, after the brewery was invited to create a beer especially for Farnham Beerex’s 40th anniversary festival at the Maltings in April - a year after it scooped the coveted ‘beer of the festival’ award last year for its pale ale Rambler.

For more information about Frensham Brewery, opening times and beers on offer visit the website www.frenshambrewery.co.uk.