Just over a year after their last crowdfunding campaign, London-based craft brewers Redchurch Brewery are taking to Crowdcube again to fund further expansion plans.
The business started from its humble roots in an archway in Bethnal Green just six years ago, the brainchild of current Managing Director Gary Ward. Working full-time commercial solicitor, Ward started brewing craft beer on the side – before taking the plunge and making Redchurch Brewery his main focus.
In those six years, Redchurch has come a long way. Back in January of last year the brewery raised £500,000 in its first crowdfunding campaign, investing the money to expand to two arches and acquire a 30 barrel brew house in Harlow.
When Ward started the business, Redchurch was one of only five craft brewers in London – over the past couple of years however, consumers’ appetite for artisan beer has soared. Whilst current estimates put the number of active small-scale craft breweries in the UK at over 1000 and growing, potential investors can take heart; Redchurch always been ahead of the pack.
The now-renowned craft brewery sells beer nationally into Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, a range of bars and restaurants including Byron, as well as exporting beers around the world.
Redchurch’s beers are staying true to their roots, taking their names from famous location in east London such as ‘Brick Lane Lager’, ‘Hoxton Stout’ and ‘Bethnal Pale Ale’.
When Ward began the business, he worked alone carrying out all of the brewing, bottling, packaging and deliveries himself. Now, the business employs 12 full time and six part time staff to keep up with consumer demand.
Redchurch’s sales have grown substantially since 2012 when they posted £177k in sales. The brewery is projecting a jump to £1.7m revenue in 2016 after £710k in 2016.
Now the business is looking to crowdfund again to take the business to the next level. Ward has plans to add further fermentation vessels, increasing production capacity to more than 1.3 million litres annually, improve the speed and efficiency of the packaging process and employing more brewers and delivery drivers.
Redchurch’s craft beer is tapping into an ever growing market which is already threatening more established brands. In 2015 over 532 million pints were produced by members of the Society for Independent Brewers, up 13% from 2013.
Redchurch Brewery’s crowdfunding campaign is currently live on Crowdcube, with the aim of raising £400,000. So far, investors have poured in over half the amount needed, with another two weeks to go.
You can see more details about Redchurch’s campaign on Crowdcube here.