You won’t get your beer more locally sourced than at Stroud Brewery where the barley is harvested from the surrounding Cotswold fields, traditionally malted at Warminster Maltings in Wiltshire and brewed right on the London Road premises in Thrupp just outside Stroud.

And mighty fine ale it is too. It tastes so good you’d have thought it’d been brewing beer since 1806 not 2006. Since then, it’s won awards – Champion Beer of Gloucestershire – and grown steadily so that it now employs 20 people. Yes, we’re still talking a small-scale affair, which keeps things bespoke and special. The main event is its unique – and very tasty – cask conditioned beer, but it also offers premium kegged beer, lager, three cans and 12 bottles, all organic and vegan. As well as its core range, it brews seasonal and one-off beers throughout the year to keep your tastebuds on their toes.

But that’s not all as it also welcomes drinkers into its laid-back bar on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, serving a winning formula of beer and sourdough pizzas prepared by Vélo Bakery in wood-fired ovens. Dessert pizzas are on the menu too, which will keep the kids happy. And me, too, frankly. (BTW, this is a great place to come with kids. And dogs on a lead won’t be turned away either.)

The relaxed family vibe has proved a massive hit with locals and I hesitate to share its delights with the rest of the world, but, hey, that would be bad karma, wouldn’t it? Let’s share the love! Look out for events, including brewery tours, quiz nights, bingo and live gigs. And if you’re struggling to find a gift for the man in your life, check out the merch, which ranges from craft beer bibles and hoodies to mixed gift cases of ale and tote bags.