Brewer behind 55% volume beer to get £550k grant from government

THE company behind one of the world’s strongest beers is to receive a Scottish Government grant to help open a new brewery.

Aberdeenshire-based firm BrewDog is to receive £551,000 from the Scottish Government as part of the latest round of food and drink funding.

The cash will assist the company – which came under fire after it launched a limited-run 55 per cent volume beer called “The End of History” inside dead stuffed animals – to set up a new brewery in Ellon.

BrewDog has repeatedly courted controversy with its strong beers and has previously been criticised for its “hugely irresponsible” range. But the firm said that as well as creating 20 new jobs, the funds will help them produce a non-alcoholic malt-based range of soft drinks.

Alcohol campaigners cautiously welcomed the potential new products and said the cost of the firm’s high-proof beers meant it was not the chief cause of Scotland’s drink problems, despite criticism of past marketing campaigns.

Dr Evelyn Gillan, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government has a role in funding a business economy, so that’s a legitimate role. BrewDog is not the real problem. Their products tend to be high-value, high-end so less of a concern than more big, global producers and supermarkets.

“We would hope BrewDog would show a bit more responsibility in their marketing activities. If BrewDog are genuinely looking to produce a non-alcoholic range, that’s to be welcomed. In terms of their other product range, it’s a limited market and pretty expensive – it’s not the two-litre bottle of cheap cider the kids can get someone to buy for them for a fiver.”

BrewDog said the grant would also allow them to purchase more Scottish malted barley thanks to the money from the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) fund.

James Watt, the firm’s co-founder, added: “We are extremely grateful for the Scottish Government’s help in making this project a reality.”

A Glasgow drinks firm getting nearly £2 million from the FPMC said it would also boost its use of Scottish barley with the money. Heidi Beers, which trades as the WEST Brewery, said the expansion will support 18 new employees and see them launch a low-alcohol lager.

Petra Wetzel, of Heidi Beers, said they were “thrilled” with the Scottish Government’s support. She added: “The food and drink industry in Scotland, in particular the premium producers, play an increasingly important role for Scotland – focusing on job creation, exporting Scotland the brand and providing Scots with sustainable and well-sourced produce.”

Since 2008, a total of 159 projects have benefited from £38 million under the FPMC initiative, with £10m getting paid out in the latest round.

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said the food and drink industry was “one of Scotland’s greatest success stories”.

He added: “The funding will benefit a wide range of small- and medium-sized businesses across the country and support the creation of new jobs and further investment.”

Mr Lochhead said Scottish beers and ales were “highly sought after”, and added: “Heidi and BrewDog are innovative Scottish companies and this investment will not only create jobs, but boost Scottish agriculture through more locally sourced barley.

“I particularly welcome plans to diversify their products to include low and non-alcoholic drinks.”