THE owner of Shipston’s Old Mill Hotel said cheers to North Cotswold Brewery for producing a beer especially for the historic inn.

Ashley Paynton, the Mill Street hotel’s owner, shared a pint of Old Mill Bitter with Jon Pilling who owns the brewery.

Jon said he produced the 3.8-strength bitter especially for the Old Mill because he likes to support local businesses.

He said: “It’s a local beer for a local outlet.

“It matches food really well because it’s a full-flavored sessioning ale.”

The Old Mill, situated on the banks of the River Stour, has been closed since being devastated by July 2007’s flooding but Ashley bought the 300-year-old building last October and is restoring it at a cost of £250,000.

Its grand reopening, as a fine-dining restaurant and hotel, will be held on Tuesday, March 2.