Pals toast success of brew stall

They spent years as care workers, but two women are now toasting success after launching a new career cashing in on the boom in brew-your-own beers.

Sue Rowley and Debbie Williams say they have been inundated with interest since opening their new home brew stall, called Bucket and Barrel at Brierley Hill's Concord indoor market.

The friends worked for years in the community around Wyre Forest before coming up with their business venture.

They decided to take the plunge after seeing the rapid rise in popularity of traditional home-brewed beverages during the tough economic times.

They were inspired to set up the market pitch at the High Street venue after Sue's husband Paul and Debbie's partner Dean started brewing their own beer. Mrs Rowley had some experience in the pub trade as licensee of the former Blue Pig pub in Netherton.

The friends, both aged 47, and from Bewdley, said they had been nervous to start up on their own.

"It is a bit unusual and we were a bit nervous but with Sue having kept a pub in the past, that has helped us," said

Miss Williams, a grandmother-of-one. "Our husbands had started making their own beer so we were inspired to have a go with the stall because there is so much interest these days in home brewing."

Mother-of-one Mrs Rowley said: "We wanted to set up something for ourselves and this seemed like a good idea.

It has got off to a good start and we are hoping it will continue.

"A lot of interest is coming from younger people who want to learn the processes behind making their own drinks. I think in the current economic climate people see it is a cheaper option and there is also the hobby aspect to it as well. They can experiment and find their own recipes." Once a kit has been purchased, home brewers can make about 40 pints of beer for £10.99 worth of ingredients or 28 bottles of wine for around £28.

Mrs Rowley said the stall sold all of the equipment needed for home brewing.