A firkin fantastic chance to invest in craft beer

An award-winning brewery hopes that its loyal fans will donate to a crowdfunding campaign and help it expand to brew three million pints a year.
Staff at the Red Squirrel Brewery Shop in Berkhamsted. From left: Peter Wright, Tim Hickford, Gordon Carey, Andrew Fulford and Jason Duncan-AndersonStaff at the Red Squirrel Brewery Shop in Berkhamsted. From left: Peter Wright, Tim Hickford, Gordon Carey, Andrew Fulford and Jason Duncan-Anderson
Staff at the Red Squirrel Brewery Shop in Berkhamsted. From left: Peter Wright, Tim Hickford, Gordon Carey, Andrew Fulford and Jason Duncan-Anderson

At the moment, more than six bottles of craft beer are supped across the country every second so it’s no surprise that the Red Squirrel Brewing Company has become so popular.

Now an online Crowdcube funding campaign aims to raise £500,000 towards expanding the brewery – based at Boxted Farm in Potten End since 2010 – and opening seven more shops to add to its current four in Berkhamsted, Potten End, Chesham and Amersham.

Greg Blesson, managing director, said: “Since our launch five years ago, our family has worked to the simple ambition of creating brilliant brews for discerning drinkers – we never dreamed that we would have gathered as many fans and awards as we have.

“This dedication, passion and pure love for our brand has resulted in such demand that we have decided to take the next exciting expansion step with Crowdcube.”

Beer aficionados have been going wild for the brewery’s speciality craft beers including an American Pale Ale, Milk Stout and even a Black Lager.

So what will £500,000 mean to the Red Squirrel? The three-year-plan would see the opening of another seven craft beer shops in London and the Home Counties, as well as the expansion of its brewery to triple its output in order to cope with demand.

Shareholder opportunities range from £10 to £50,000, with benefits including regular samples of new beers, online discounts, AGM invitations and exclusive parties.

The company projects a growth revenue of 90 per cent and a total sales of £2 million in the year to June 2016, with further growth to £4.6 million by June 2018.

So investors will have to be quick, as the target of £500,000 is closing in, with over £160,000 raised in just five days alone.

The Crowdcube campaign has already raised more than £293,000, but there’s only 10 days left if you want to get involved – visit the page here.