19 March 2015 - Best Beer HQ
Scottish Government backs BrewDog brewery
Craft brewery BrewDog has received a £1.5 million windfall from the Scottish taxpayer to help expand its operation.
In return for the Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) funding, BrewDog is looking to create 130 new jobs at its brewery in Ellon, north-east Scotland. That’ll take its brewery workforce up from 370 to 500.
Founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, BrewDog has quickly established itself as a major player in the United Kingdom’s craft beer sector. Last year the BrewDog craft beer was one of Scotland’s fastest growing international exports.
On top of that, The Sunday Star Times newspaper named it the fastest growing food and drink company in the UK.
As well as commercial success, the craft brewer has also met with critical success. Its Paradox Grain beer won a gold medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup, and its Hardcore IPA won gold at the same event in 2010.
During a visit to the BrewDog brewery, Scottish Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “BrewDog is a remarkable Scottish success story, beginning with Martin and James’ passion for quality craft beer in 2007 and growing into a major award winning company. I am delighted to support this growth through today’s RSA award, which will create a further 130 jobs in the north east.”
He added: “The Scottish Government is constantly working to make sure Scotland is an excellent place to do business, and I commend companies like BrewDog who are taking advantage of market conditions to expand and create quality products with international appeal.”
BrewDog co-founder James Watt commented: “We are truly thankful for the immense support from the RSA and Scottish Enterprise. With the increased funding we are able to make our dreams a reality and add loads more integral and talented people to the BrewDog team.
“Each new hire will help us with our massive plans for 2015 and the years following and manifest our mission in Scotland and across the world.”
The RSA provides financial assistance to Scottish industry in the form of discretionary grants to investment projects that will create and safeguard employment in areas designated for regional aid under European Community law.
BrewDog beer was shipped to 55 different countries in 2014. Meanwhile, the rapidly growing company also opened 12 new bars, bringing its total number of bars worldwide to 26. There are BrewDog bars throughout the UK, as well as in Sweden, Finland, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Japan.