Sales cheer for Brewdog

Craft beer giant Brewdog saw sales spike by 55% in the first half of 2018.

In a trading update, the group said total revenues had jumped to £78 million in the first six months of the year, with the performance being boosted by huge year-on-year growth in its division.

The unit saw revenues spike 92%, generating an incremental £10m in sales in the period.

The company – which this week unveiled its first craft beer hotel in the US – said investment in the off-trade, bar openings and the acquisition of Draft House had all contributed to 83% retail sales growth in the UK in the half-year.

The firm has a pub in Dundee and is “actively working” towards opening in Perth, expected to be on the site of Caffe Canto in George Street.

“We’re at one of the most exciting and pivotal junctures in our existence,” co-founder James Watt said.

“We’ve established a solid and rapidly growing presence in the UK and the demand from Europe shows no signs of waning. We’re making significant inroads in Asia and Australia, which I believe will begin to bear fruit in 2019.

“Our US business is expanding at breakneck speed with new distribution points added every week.

“All this wouldn’t be possible without our passionate community and a global beer audience that is growing increasingly tired of the lack of quality and variety offered by mega-breweries.”

Brewdog co-founder James Watt.