The Jolly Coopers in Epsom has launched a microbrewery, drawing on head brewer’s 30 years of experience in home brewing.

Fuzzchat, taken from the name given to a person born on Epsom Common, will brew ten ales, and four will normally rotate at the bar.

Head brewer Ray Hitt has begun operations from what was the nineteenth-century blacksmith’s cottage at the back of the pub in Wheelers Lane.

There was about a year between work starting on the cottage, which had not had a roof for some time, and the launch.

General manager Dan said: “When we launched the microbrewery it was the best day ever for the pub, in terms of business. We sold 18 barrels of beer in one and a half days.

“To put that in context, we usually do 10 a week. It was madness for a small pub like ours. We couldn’t have hoped for a better start.”

It is believed to be the first brewery started in Epsom in more than 90 years.

Dan said: “The support from locals and people coming from as far away as Staines was brilliant. We’re really lucky to be somewhere that people care about local businesses.”