From early this year, Central Ranges Brewing Company, or CRB as it will become known, will begin pulling beer at Vittoria, halfway between Bathurst and Orange.

CRB will be operating from the Beekeepers Inn on the Mitchell Highway selling a range of beers including natural, bottled fermented wheat beer, pale ale, English-style amber ale and stout.

CRB is a joint venture between Mark Lockwood, part owner of CRB; the Lockwood family, owners of the Beekeepers Inn, and Janet Lee, owner, brewer and licensee of CRB.

Plans were underway yesterday to shift the brewery equipment from storage in Lucknow to Vittoria where the preparation of the brewery floor was being completed using a sealing product.

“We’re very excited about adding to the quality food experience that the Central West has become so well known for,” Ms Lee said.

“Not only will visitors be able to purchase our extensive range of beers, there will also be tours of our new micro brewing facilities.

Ms Lee gained her experience in micro brewing among restaurateurs in Orange, Sydney and Melbourne brewing natural, preservative free beers.

Changes to legislation meant that she needed to find a new home for her brewery.

“That’s where the Lockwood family and their Beekeepers Inn came to the rescue,” Ms Lee said.

“We are very pleased to be able to join with the Lockwood family to develop this new joint venture.”