BrewDog unveils US brewery plans amid global march

BrewDog’s dramatic global expansion is set to ramp up after it unveiled plans to build a new brewery in the US.

James Watt, BrewDog co-founder. Picture: Contributed

The Ellon-based company has provisionally agreed a deal to build a 100,000 square foot site in Columbus, Ohio.

In addition to the brewery, the 42 acres of land it is acquiring will house BrewDog’s US offices, a visitor centre, a craft beer restaurant and a taproom.

The company said that by brewing within the US, BrewDog will be able to “deliver the freshest craft beer to its American beer fans as well as minimising its overall environmental impact”.

It plans to employ about 100 people at the new location, as well as sending brand ambassadors from its Scottish brewery for secondments. In addition to the brewery investment, it is planning to launch five flagship bars in the country’s craft beer hubs such as the west coast, north east and Florida.

BrewDog will help fund the project through a US crowdfunding exercise similar to the Equity for Punks schemes in the UK.

James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog, said it was one of the most exciting projects the firm had ever embarked upon.

“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. 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.”