HAMPSHIRE brewer Red Cat opened its doors and welcomed a huge crowd to its second annual Open Day to celebrate the business’s second birthday.

Established in the spring of 2014 by Iain MacIntosh and Andy Mansell, Red Cat’s aim is to create imaginative craft beer, and the open day was the ideal chance to showcase their growing range of ales.

Four members of Red Cat Brewing staged a packed and vibrant event in Winchester including their full range of 14 beers available at the bar.

Fellow Hampshire Fare members Broughton Water Buffalo were on hand, serving up a BBQ, all set to a live acoustic soundtrack provided by local musician Andy Osman.

In between guided tours of the brewery and talks on just how Red Cat go about brewing their beers – which are gaining huge popularity across the south of England - around 500 visitors enjoyed almost 1200 pints of ale ranging from the ever popular Scratch and Prowler to Nine Tails and Mr M’s Porter, alongside their ‘Untamed’ range of specials – not forgetting the launch of the eagerly-awaited bottled 9.1% ABV Vintage Stout - IMPERIAL 15.

To top the day off the team had a surprise visit from South Hants CAMRA and were presented with a certificate for their Feral Vienna IPA 6.2% ABV which was Runner Up as Beer of the Festival at the recent Winchester Real Ale and Cider Festival.

Sales and Marketing Manager at Red Cat Brewing Faye Pain said "We’re not only delighted that so many people chose to join us at the weekend but also at the opportunity the last few months has given us to work with local artists like Kirsten.

"It’s a natural progression for us as brewing good quality, exciting craft beer is now recognised as an art form in itself and therefore goes hand in hand with other art forms such as contemporary illustration and music.”