A PAIR of ale lovers are set to ‘hop’ on the craft beer explosion by opening a tap room in a former Buddhist centre.

Paul Stephens, who runs the popular beer and coffee shop Two Brews, and brewer Mark Watson, of Watsons Brewery, are set to join forces on the project, which would see the former religious centre, in Manor Road, Colchester, given an overhaul.

The duo initially plan to move Two Brews - including its on-licence which allows beer and coffee to be consumed inside - from its current Crouch Street home into the top floor of the two-storey building before transporting Mr Watson’s micro-brewery into the outbuildings.

They also hope to convert the bottom floor and garden into a tap room, where visitors will be able to sample Mr Watson’s wares alongside speciality coffee.

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Food would also be provided from the kitchen.

Their plans have been submitted to Colchester Council’s planning department.

Mr Watson said: “In spite of the surge in interest in craft beer, running a brewery remains a challenge due to the high duty on beer, and low margins on selling casks to pubs, so having a ‘tap room’ to sell my beer direct to the customer is an important step forward for me.

“There is a lot of interest in local beers, and in craft beer there is a lot of demand for new and interesting beers, and this gives me the opportunity to keep on brewing new and interesting beers, rather than brewing the same beers time and time again.”

Mr Stephens, who has seen his business grow both financially and in popularity over the last two years said as well his his well-known beer offering, he hopes to grow his the coffee side of the business.

He added Mr Watson’s beers - the brewery is the top rated in Essex on beer lovers’ app Untapped - have become so popular that demand has outstripped supply.

He also said there is no intention of the business becoming “a late night venue detracting from town centre venues”.

There are also plans to continue to work with other indepedent firms to provide speciality food nights.

Opening hours are proposed to be 10am to 6pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 10pm Thursday to Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sundays.

The pair have also offered to meet with immediate neighbours to discuss their plans.