A NEW Hampshire micro pub with a difference has thrown open its doors.

Witch’s Brew, which focuses on cask ale, has opened in Shirley Road in Southampton.

The establishment is the brainchild of Mary Thornton-Smith, who formerly ran Magik Earth, a shop specialising in hippy new age items, from the same premises for 13 years.

Mary said: “I wanted to do something different and I simply love craft beer and ale so I thought I would open up a cask beer and ale pub.

“I want to create a friendly atmosphere and provide my guests with a unique way of sampling cask ale and beer.

“It’s been a year in the planning but I’ve finally made it and look forward to the future.

“The cask ale is all local with a good choice to choose from at good value prices ranging from 3.8 per cent up to 5 per cent.”

She added: “I’ve had an active interest in traditional witchcraft for many years and I thought the name would be fun, but no hocus pocus happens on my property.”

Mary runs her business with the help of our two border collies, Daphne and Giz, who like to have cuddles with the customers.

Among Mary’s selection of cask ale’s includes Hole Hearted, a floral fruity. delicately bitter produced by Gosport based Fallen Acorn Brewing Company and Broken Biscuit, a 4.2 per cent rich chocolate infused ale produced by Broken Bridge Brewery in Swanmore along with a choice of ciders including Mr. Whiteheads, a well known local brand based in Alton.

The Witch’s Brew at 220 Shirley Road is open Wednesday to Friday between 6pm and 10pm and Saturday and Sunday between 2pm and 10pm.