PUNTERS will raise a glass to the official launch of a new microbrewery in Horwich.

A launch party for Drink up Brewing will be held at The Original Bay Horse, in Lee Lane on Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14.

The microbrewery, which is owned by 25-year-old Lewis Russell, has been trading for the past few months but has not yet received an official launch.

Head brewer Alex Parkinson currently produces seven beers at the firm's premises off Longworth Road in Horwich, and the firm hopes to increase its capacity soon.

In addition, it plans to produce a new lager beer, Dub Lite, to add to its current range of seven ales.

The firm has already received positive feedback after having its beers stocked in bars at Manchester's Northern Quarter, including Pie and Ale and Piccadilly Tap.

Mr Russell, from Horwich, already owns the successful firm Pallet Brew, which provides the equipment to allow microbreweries to produce their own beer.

He decided that after running Pallet Brew for the past two years, he would now use his knowledge of the industry and create a microbrewery for himself.

Mr Russell said: "Pallet Brew has done really well, so I decided I could do it for myself and put the knowledge into practice.

"At the moment we are brewing to build up our stock, and we will push our sales in the next few months.

"We have already had some good responses after being in pubs in Manchester, and the ales have gone down well.

"It is a real growing market in craft beers and microbreweries, so we hope to be able to tap into it."

The launch event, under a marquee at the Original Bay Horse, will also feature beers from other local microbreweries, including Cloudwater Brew Co, Marble Brewery, Tickety Brew and Ramsbottom based Brewsmith.

It will also include street food, live music, and some other events including a meet the brewer talk on Thursday, and a brewery tour on Friday.

The event runs from 5pm to 10pm on Thursday, and from noon to 11pm on Friday.

Entry costs £2.