CONVERTING a Bishopsteignton barn to a brewery is a dream come true for two teachers that are about to embark on a big adventure.

John Parkes, from Teignmouth, and Martin Griggs, from Combeinteignhead, have set up Red Rock Brewery at a farm on the edge of the village.

The pair are keen home-brewers, but it is the know-how of Mr Parkes' son Lewis that will get the barrels rolling. Lewis, 22, has been in the brewing trade for three years and early batches suggest that 'he's got the golden touch'. 'We have been impressed by the test batches we have done. It's good stuff,' said Mr Parkes.

'The best thing about this place is that it's fed by spring water, so the beer has a truly different taste,' he said,' 'And we're only using water, malt, hops and yeast, so it is as pure as you can get,' added Lewis. The malt comes from Tuckers Maltings, Newton Abbot, and the hops from a supplier in Nottingham because they cannot be sourced locally.

Geoff Laing, the farmer who is supporting the enterprise on his land, grows malt for Tuckers Maltings. 'So it is quite nice to imagine that the malt that is grown here comes back to be used in the beer,' said Mr Parkes.

Local is the keyword for the brewery. It's very name refers to the red rock in the Teign estuary and its beers Red Rock and Back Beach refer to the Teignmouth locality. Friends and colleagues in the pub trade have been very supportive of the venture.

'It has been great, said Mr Parkes. 'The pubs we've spoken to said they would be happy to give it a go and we hope to sell bottles to small shops in the area,' he said. The set up is small. Known as a four-barrel plant, the brewers will be able to produce about 27 firkins a week.

'We are small fry compared to some, but it is early days for us and we are just finding our feet in the market.' But small can be beautiful. It means that the beer will be delivered locally and drunk at its best.

With the success of the Old Walls Vineyard and Shute Farm, Red Rock Brewery is entering into what has become a small hub of good food and drink in Bishopsteignton.

'It is good for us and I think that this really fits into the trend for good quality locally sourced products that is emerging in the West Country,' said Mr Parkes. But for now, the team has more pressing matters, like fitting a roof and a solid floor before brewing can begin.

They hope work will be finished in about a month and the first batch of beer ready in August. 'We are looking forward to it, said Mr Parkes.. 'It will be quite a day.'