Framework Brewery has marked its opening in Leicester city centre by pouring its first pint, a hoppy American pale.

The brewery is planning to focus on hop-forward beers such as Simcoe Stout, Centennial Rye and American Amber, among others.

Framework Brewery, based on Friday Street, near Abbey Park, has taken its name from the city and county’s renowned textile trade, the county’s bygone framework knitters.

Jim Willis, strategy director at Framework said the brewery’s formation was less about business and more an exercise in “civic pride”.

He explained: “Apart from the obvious love of beer, Framework was born because a city the size of Leicester doesn’t have a brewery in the city centre.

“It’s such an exciting time for Leicester and there are so many new people, businesses, and tourists coming to the city that we thought that somebody needed to fill that beer gap – and so we did.”

Its beers are specialising in the use of New World hops, while all of its beverages are vegan and vegetarian friendly

Director Mat Mabe added: “Myself and the other directors couldn’t see the sense in excluding a significant portion of the drinking public.

“We want our beers to be enjoyed by everyone legally allowed to drink them and so, instead, we embrace the haze.”

The team is also planning to expand production to 7,000 litres a week.h

“This would mean brewing seven days a week – and we’d like to expand beyond that,” he added.

Mabe said: “We want this to be an important and independent Leicester beer business, and we always want to make sure our beers are a craft product that are handmade and not mass-produced.”