Brewdog plans five US bars and brewery

Brewdog is taking its craft beer mission stateside confirming plans to open five new bars and build its first US brewery.

Brewdog’s planned brewery in Columbus, Ohio

Set within 42 acres, the 100,000 square foot brewery will be built in Columbus, Ohio, and will see the rapidly expanding Scottish brewer to push further into the US market.

Founded in 2007, BrewDog has grown at an extraordinary rate opening 27 bars worldwide since 2010. It now exports to 55 countries and employs 360 staff.

In addition to the 100-barrel brew house, the 42-acre site will also house Brewdog’s US offices, a visitor centre, a craft beer restaurant and a taproom.

James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog, said: “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.”

Brewdog also plans to open five new bats in the US on the West Coast, North East and Florida as part of its international expansion – a core focus for the brewery this year.

The US brewery will produce Brewdog’s full line-up of beers including Punk IPA, Dead Pony Club and Jackhammer, as well as small batch unique special brews.

To fund the project Brewdog is set to launch a crowdfunding initiative Equity for Punks USA – an American version of its already successful UK-based Equity for Punks scheme – giving American beer fans the chance to invest in BrewDog USA.

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.”

Earlier this year the brewer announced a record sixth year of consecutive growth with annual turnover increasing by 64% to more than £29 million in 2014. In April Brewdog launched its biggest crowdfunding bid to date, calling upon investors to help it raise £25 million.