BREWER Chris Gooch has proved that he has just as good a head as some of his popular Worcestershire ales.

During one of the most difficult years at the Teme Valley Brewery, Knightwick, when production was twice severely disrupted by flooding and demand surpassed all previous years, Mr Gooch knuckled down to his studies to gain a general certificate in brewing. Mr Gooch has been working as a brewer at the business based at the Talbot Hotel, Knightwick, for more than 10 years but, even with all that experience, he wasn't sure he had passed the Institute of Brewing and Distilling exam.

"When I started the course it was going to be four hours studying a week on line. But we got flooded in June and then again in July. We also did more brewing this year than ever before. I wasn't confident I had passed the exam," said Mr Gooch.

But the successful results came through and he is now planning to move up to the diploma level next year.

"I am going to celebrate by painting the brewery ceiling," he said. "I might have a bottle of beer later."