A successful businessman who was instrumental in keeping the traditions of Kent brewing alive has died.

Piers MacDonald passed away suddenly on Friday, aged 56.

For the past 25 years he has been at the helm of the Nelson Brewery in Chatham Historic Dockyard which has produced a number of acclaimed ales.

The owner of Nelson Brewing Company in Chatham Historic Dockyard, he had been with his long-term partner Val Gillingham who runs The Fisherman’s Arms in Maidstone for 25 years.

His stepson Martin Moss posted a heartfelt tribute on behalf of the family on social media/

He wrote: ”I say this with a very heavy heart but unfortunately Piers passed away on Friday.

“I can’t quite put into words how important and special he was to us all.

“He loved mum so so much and done anything and everything for her.He raised Jade and I like we were his own and would always tell me how proud of us all he was and how much being a granddad meant to him.

“For the last 25 years, Piers has been our rock, our protector and made sure we never went without.

“He will be sorely missed and we are all lost without him.”

Mr MacDonald was a talented cricketer and was vice president of Linton Park Cricket Club, near Maidstone.

A post on behalf of the club said:”It is with much sadness that we pass on news of Piers MacDonald passing away a couple of days ago.

“Piers was a much loved member of Linton Park CC. A keeper-batter who scored 7893 runs, sitting 17th on our all time run scorers, with a top score of 127* against Hastings & St Leonards in 1990, scoring 4 centuries in total - whilst also taking 139 catches and 38 stumpings.

He will be sorely missed and we are all lost without him

“Piers was also a Vice-President of the club, something that he was so proud of as well as being part of the 2001 South Africa tour.

“Piers was a big supporter of the club whom was, as usual, attending and keenly supporting our team in their match at Bearsted last weekend. Piers sponsored our tour to Cambridge last year and donated a case of ciders to each opposing Player of the Match.

“Our condolences go to Val and all his family and friends from all his many friends at Linton Park Cricket Club”

Formerly known as The Flagship Brewery which opened at the former naval base in 1995, Mr MacDonald bought the business in 2006.

With many years experience in the brewing industry, he was passionate about keeping traditions of Kent brewing alive and, in recent years,had expanded into craft beers.