Newsbrewed 10 // 06 // 15

Stars and Hops: BrewDog announces plans to expand stateside with new 42-acre brewery site in Columbus, Ohio

BrewDog announces USA expansion plans including a 100,000ft2 brewery and five new bars

Scottish craft brewery, BrewDog, has announced plans to take its craft beer revolution stateside, having provisionally agreed a deal to build a new 100,000ft2state-of-the-art craft brewery on a new site in Columbus, Ohio. The new site will ensure the maverick brewery can deliver the freshest beer to its North American beer fans and continue its phenomenal international growth.

James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog commented:

“Since the dark days of prohibition, America’s epic brewers have led the craft beer charge and inspired a generation of UK craft brewers, not least ourselves. We are thrilled to finally be setting up a BrewDog home in the Land of the Free, and become part of this craft beer epicentre.”

“Columbus has got a fantastic beer scene already, and the people have always been so welcoming to us, so we felt it would be the perfect location for our stateside operation. This is one of the most exciting projects we have ever embarked upon and we can’t wait to start brewing hardcore beer on both sides of the Atlantic.”

In addition to the 100-barrel brew house, the 42 acres of land will house BrewDog’s US offices, a visitor centre, a craft beer restaurant and a taproom, accessible by road and cycle path. Once opened, BrewDog will be brewing its full line-up of beers such as Punk IPA, Dead Pony Club and Jackhammer, as well as small batch special brews unique to the US brewery. By brewing within the United States, BrewDog will be able to deliver the freshest craft beer to its American beer fans as well as minimising its overall environmental impact.

James Watt commented:

“Stateside craft beer drinkers know how important freshness is for maintaining flavour and aroma, particularly for beers as intenselyhoppy as ours. Having a brewhouse in Ohio means we will no longer have to ship our beers across the Atlantic to our North American customers and we will be able to deliver fresh, kickass beer into glasses all over the country.”

“The new site will be built and operated in the most environmentally-friendly way possible, as we are committed to minimising the carbon footprint of our American operation from the outset,” he added.

BrewDog plans to employ over 100 people at the new location, as well as sendingbrand ambassadors from its Scottish brewery for secondments at the new site.

James Watt added:

“The new brewery will act as a sister brewery to our current site in Ellon, Aberdeen and we hope to develop a fluid exchange of knowledge, passion and beer flowing back and forth across the Atlantic. The Midwest is a hotbed of craft beer talent and expertise and we can’t wait to see what our American counterparts can bring to the table.”

In addition to the new US brewery, BrewDog is planning to launch five flagship bars in the country’s craft beer hubs such as the West Coast, the North East and Florida.

BrewDog will help fund its Columbus project through Equity for Punks USA, a American crowdfunding scheme which will launch later this year and give American beer fans the opportunity to invest in BrewDog USA Inc. Further details on the share offering will be announced in the coming months.

BrewDog’s international expansion is a core focus for the brewery this year. Last week it announced the appointment of Andrew Hatherell, as its first Head of International Sales.

James Watt added:

“We want to take our craft beer revolution global and have huge plans for the country which loves to supersize. From building a brewery, to opening craft beer cathedrals across the country, and even giving our American fans the chance to own a part of the business, we are going big. We still have a long way to go, but we can’t wait to firmly plant our BrewDog flag on the Land of Independence.”

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What is BrewDog?

We were bored of the industrially brewed lagers and stuffy ales that dominate the UK market. We decided the best way to fix this undesirable predicament was to brew our own beers. Consequently in April 2007 BrewDog was born.Both only 24 at the time, we leased a building, got some scary bank loans, spent all our money on stainless steel and started making some hardcore beers.

We are dedicated to making cool, contemporary and progressive beers showcasing some of the world’s classic beer styles. All with an innovative twist and customary BrewDog bite.

For more information please contact:
Manifest / BrewDog
Ali Maynard & Helen Kenny
t.0203 1379270
m.07712877972
on / James Watt & Martin Dickie
t.01358 724 924