Cassidy's at 44 High Street, Alton (between the Spice Bank restaurant and Santander) will open at 3pm on Friday 17 February offering we believe two real ales and a number of craft keg beers along with cocktails, wine and spirits. Owners Luke and Becky have been putting a lot of effort into getting it ready and their progress can be tracked on their Facebook page.

The Maverick Brewing Company, originally planned for the Farnham area, is setting up shop in the Ganders Business Park, Forge Road, Kingsley. Brewing has started and a premises licence has been obtained for a tap room on the premises so we should se a new addition to the East Hants brewing scene shortly along with another brewery tap. Follow progress on www.maverickbrewingco.com.