Brewdog eyes US launch and global presence
The company said it was also actively looking for partners in China, South Korea and Australia to continue its global rollout.
The group, which recently appointed former G1 Group director David McDowallas its new managing director of BrewDog Bars, said that for the west coast it is looking for a site that could operate as a brewpub; it would therefore need to be between 6,000-8,000sq ft and be able to obtain a licence for a bar and brewery.
For its east coast location, it is looking for somewhere that would be operated as a bar only, and would have a minimum size requirement of 2,000sq ft.
The company has been upping its profile in the US through the TV show BrewDogs, which has seen co-founders James Watt and Martin Dickie on a ”on a quest for nationwide craft beer enlightenment in America”.
It said that its first priority in terms of its international expansion would be securing a site in Berlin.
The company said: “We had a number of sites there in mind, stretching back over the last eighteen months, but sadly none have come to fruition. We are still looking for that perfect site for BrewDog Berlin though, and really want to make it happen. We’re open to considering any area in the city, with minimum size being at least 150 square metres. The site must be able to be operated as a bar and we would consider sites large enough to also be a brewpub.”
For this year, it has sites planned for or potential international bar openings lined up in Norway, Brussels, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Rome.
It said it was actively looking for local partners in these locations: Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Ireland, France, New Zealand, Canada, China, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, South Korea and Denmark.
BrewDog launched a bar in Helsinki before the end of last year, its 12th outlet opening in 2014. It also also opened bars in São Paulo, Tokyo, Sheffield, Gothenburg, Dundee, Florence, Cardiff, Ellon, Clapham Junction, Liverpool and Bologna
BrewDog is set to expand its international division further with a new Barcelona bar opening shortly.
The company said that McDowall’s primary focus would be growing its UK bar division, which currently consists of 18 sites. With new bars planned for Glasgow, Brighton and Dalston.
Watt said: “David has a killer business head and awesome strategic experience of growing a hugely successful bar division. We want to ensure that we can satisfy the thirst of our loyal craft beer community by opening more kickass bars, and ensuring that each and every one delivers an amazing BrewDog experience every time.”
McDowall said, “I have witnessed BrewDog’s phenomenal growth over the last few years and I’m thrilled to be joining such a vibrant business that is committed to doing things differently. The whole team lives and breathes craft beer, and their dedication and passion to the craft beer revolution is infectious. I can’t wait to get cracking and to grow this unique bar division.”
The company recently rolled out table service to all its UK bars and announced new bar snacks and an initiative for designated drivers.
The upcoming BrewDog bar opening in Islington will be called Dog Eat Dog, a new concept focused on hotdogs and craft beer.
The company is also set to open Brighton and a second, bigger site in Leeds.
