Wooha brewing up plans for US assault

Beer maker Wooha Brewing Company is targeting more stateside drinkers after securing £700,000 of funding to boost production.

The new finance, which includes support from HSBC, will enable the firm to upgrade its facilities through the purchase of a new 6.2-acre farm in Kinloss in Moray and take on an additional four employees.

Wooha, which began trading in April 2015 and specialises in natural, vegan-friendly beers, is forecasting that 80 per cent of its revenues next year will be export-related, with a focus on ramping up supply to the US market.

Founder and owner Heather Mcdonald said: “We have seen an increased demand from the American market for our Scottish beer, so much so that we forecast that next year, 80 per cent of our business will be from exports, with the US the main market.

“The financial support from HSBC has been vital in helping us realise our ambition to purchase a new manufacturing site to continue our global expansion.”

The finance was allocated from the bank’s Uk-wide, £10 billion small and mediumsized enterprise (SME) fund. Some £500 million of the funding is specifically designated to support firms in Scotland.

Susan Rowand, HSBC head of business banking in Scotland, said: “We’re seeing an increase in demand for Scottish food and drink products abroad and the US, in particular, offers a huge opportunity.”

She added: “We’re proud to support Wooha Brewing with both funding and expertise which will help the business flourish.” 0 Wooha’s founder and owner Heather Mcdonald