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Utopian Brewery launches crowdfunder to support new venue

Devon-based Utopian Brewing has launched a crowdfunding scheme to support the opening of its forthcoming flagship venue in March.

Speaking to the drinks business, Utopian Brewery managing director Richard Archer said: “Opening our first bar and eatery has been a long-term ambition and it is great to now be in the final stretch and able to fix a date.”

Archer explained that the crowdfunder is “an integral part of those launch plans” and “has a double benefit” due to it “providing some important additional funding for the fit out” but also gives the brewery the chance “to offer our loyal followers some fabulous rewards for their support”.

He revealed: “Rewards come in the form of discounts, opening offers and access to some genuinely exclusive events.”

Archer also highlighted how the team at Utopian are “working flat out to create something fresh, fun and inclusive” and revealed that “the site, Arcadia in Northernhay Place Exeter, will have a locally sourced, small plates and sharers food menu alongside a selection of Utopian and other independent beers and ciders, with varied local and international wine selection”.

He told db that the venue will also offer a good selection of no and low alcohol alternatives and noted how this followed the brewery seeing success with the launch of its alcohol free Pilsner. Archer assured that in a bid to support this trend, “the venue would “include a broad range of low and no offers across all ranges of beer, wine and spirits”.

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Archer insisted that the crowdfunding campaign “had been designed to be as accessible as possible” and told db: “We wanted to give as many people as possible the chance to participate. Rewards start with a £30 donation which earns a 33% bonus uplift on a bar tab, valid for two years, that can be spent on food and drink in the venue”.

He added: “As well as other bar tab offers, we have also included some genuine exclusive opportunities. These include brewery tours, tasting and beer pairing nights and the crème de la crème” and explained that this gave “the chance for a group of six to brew a beer of their choice” on the brewery’s pilot kit and see the beer “packaged exclusively for them into personalised cans”.

Archer noted that the latest moves were “not just targeted at people in range of Exeter” but “also included some great discount vouchers and subscription offers for the Utopian online shop” that could be accessed by people living further afield.

The planned refurbishment works for the new venue will include “a complete new beer cellar, delivering 16 draught lines, a brand new kitchen and extensive changes to the furniture layouts,” said Archer who disclosed that “Arcadia will open to the public on the 6 March 2025 barring any unforeseen delays in the refurbishment works”.

To get involved with the crowdfunding campaign, the brewer urged people to go to the brewery’s crowdfunder link to get involved.

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