28803/1IN a world of large-scale commercialism and big business, one age-old industry is witnessing a reverse trend. Micro-breweries are popping up across the country, as traditional ales and beers are making a marked comeback.

Jenny Haworth takes a look at the growing trend after a visit to Wiltshire's newest examples.

OAKS Farm in Colerne looks like any other at first glance but alongside the fields and farm buildings the unexpected aroma of hops and brewing barley wafts through the air.

Inside one of the rural farm's outbuildings, steam pours from a large metal vat and a man stirs a huge pot of brewing barley with a large spade.

It is hot and tiring work but the result is a beautiful, pale brown liquid a traditional ale called Tunnel Vision which is now on sale across north and west Wiltshire.

Box Steam Brewery in the grounds of Oak Farm has been set up by three men and marks the growing trend of micro-breweries across Wiltshire.

Mark Hempleman-Adams, 43, of Ashwick whose elder brother David normally grabs the headlines for his record-breaking exploits Marshall Ewart, who owns The Bear pub in Box, and Paul Dabson, 52, a portrait painter and art lecturer at Chippenham College, are the men behind this latest venture.

Their micro-brewery, which opened on Wednesday is one of 600 springing up across the country.

It is already producing two beers, each made using a secret recipe of malts, yeast and hops, giving them a unique flavour and aroma.

Tunnel Vision is a classic, traditional, dry beer while Reverend Awdrey's Ale, named after the Box author who penned Thomas the Tank Engine, is a golden yellow beer which is more like cider.

The trio also plan to brew a Christmas beer which will be particularly potent

and spicy.

Mr Hempleman-Adams, who owns Corsham business Global Resins Industrial with his brother David, said: "It all started when Marshall said in the pub he would like to brew his own beer. But he knew nothing about brewing, just drinking."

The trio enrolled on a brewing course in Sunderland and now work in the brewery during their spare time. They rent the farm premises but run the brewery as an independent business.

Mr Hempleman-Adams said: "Farmers have been struggling so they have diversified.

"Hopefully in the future the farm will be able to grow the barley for us. It is all about farmers using their initiative."

Box Steam Brewery's beers are available at pubs across north and west Wiltshire, including The Tollgate Inn, Holt, the Two Pigs, Corsham and The Castle, Bradford on Avon.

On Wednesday another independent brewery, Westbury Ales, will open in the grounds of The Horse and Groom pub, Westbury.

It is almost a century since the last brewery operated in the town but Leigh and Jayne Pickering, 33 and 34, have been dreaming of setting one up since they bought The Horse and Groom two and a half years ago.

"I'm very passionate about ale," Mr Pickering said.

"The process has been around for over a 1,000 years but the skill lies in being able to maintain consistency from one brew to the next."

The self-taught brewer has been experimenting with recipes to make a traditional pale ale, which will be unveiled next week.