A MAN has swapped sunny California for leafy Warwickshire to become the new brewery manager at Purity Brewing Co near Alcester.

Aaron Taubman, aged 39, has considerable experience working in the brewing trade, which includes head of brewing quality for Miller Coors in California for the last six years. Prior to that he was head brewer at the Millstream Brewery in Iowa.

He also has a brewing diploma from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, and a degree in bio-chemistry from the University of Iowa.

Mr Taubman, who will be working closely with Purity’s French director of brewing, Flo Vialan, said: “I was looking for a job in the area as my wife had a permanent position lined up with the British Geological Survey. We found the job advert on the SIBA website and the interview was done via Skype.

“I didn’t see the brewery until my first day on the job - the day after I arrived in the country - but I really couldn’t wait to get to work and start brewing in the UK. Everything in the US is kegged beer or bottles or cans, so I’m very excited to produce cask conditioned beer.

“I believe Purity is the best in the field in terms of its focus on quality, so it’s an honour to be joining the team. With the development of the new brewery, this is the perfect time for me to join.”

His arrival follows the recent appointment of Darryl Hinksman as head of brand. These two appointments are crucial to Purity as it prepares to open a new brewhouse at its site near Alcester. The new facility will soon enable the brewer to produce up to 140,000 pints of beer every week, a 150 per cent increase in brewing capacity.