A NEW pub in Eastleigh has thrown open its doors.

Located in an extended and refurbished Edwardian building on Bishopstoke Road, the Steam Town Brew Co pulled its first official pints this week.

Owned and managed by David Mackie, the pub also has a microbrewery on site to produce its own beer.

David, 45, from Southampton, said: “Eastleigh is an amazing place with great people. This is the only microbrewery in town and we want to give local residents a very unique place where they can come together, enjoy new things and meet new people.”

Steam Town Brew Co is a stone’s throw from Eastleigh train station. With that in mind it gives a nod to the town’s industrial and railway heritage with fixtures and fittings ranging from a vintage Seacow rail carriage to the original light fittings from Eastleigh’s own rail works yard.

David – who previously worked as a brewer at the Flower Pots Brewery in Cheriton – said the pub aims to showcase the best British beer and local gin.

“It is about showcasing some of the best beer in Eastleigh in an attractive and exciting environment. People will be able to see where the beer is made and if they want they can have a little tour and understand the process about how to brew beer,” David said.

He added that they will initially focus on producing two cask beers: a British malt and hop session bitter and a US dry hopped session IPA and will start brewing on site next week.

He also said that US style burgers and fries will be produced with local ingredients.

“We want to make the most of what Eastleigh and Hampshire produce. Making a product like this with local ingredients means a lot,” David added.

He said the Edwardian building in which the pub is located was a brewery and off licence shop from 1920 to 1960.

After four months spent renovating and decorating the building and creating the ‘unique’ setting inspired by the Eastleigh industrial heritage, the pub will throw open its doors to the public today and David said that the venue may play host to some blues musicians in the future.

The pub will be open every day from 11am to 11pm and will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

David said the opening of the Steam Town Brew Co aims to give a boost to the town centre.