Beer

BrewDog founders' 'big bet' on US shares

01-Dec-2016 - Last updated on 01-Dec-2016 at 12:13 GMT

Big gamble: Martin Dickie (left) and James Watt

Co-founders of BrewDog are to undertake a 'big bet' at a roulette table that could see crowdfunding investors double their stake in the firm.

Crowdfund investors in the US round of Scottish firm BrewDog's Equity For Punks scheme will now have the chance to potentially double their equity – or lose it.

To celebrate the launch of its new brewing facility in the USA, the brewer-operator is offering US investors the chance to double their stake in the business, when Watt and Dickie put the money raised on red or black at a roulette table in February 2017.

The bet

If investors choose to opt in on the bet, they agree to the value of all or part of their investment being placed on the roulette table by Watt and Dickie. They are then emailed a link to enable them to choose red or black. If successful, BrewDog immediately doubles the capital it has raised from the investors that opt in, and the investors double their stake in the business.

If they lose, the shares are returned to the company but they keep investor perks, such as a lifetime discount on the company's beer.

It could result in up to $50m (£39.5m) being placed on a single bet – if the crowdfunding target is reached and all crowdfunders were to opt on a particular colour.

Casino Rye Ale

As part of the event, Casino Rye Ale will be launched in the UK, and visitors to UK BrewDog bars can try their luck at roulette 'pop-ups', where they will receive a free half pint of the beer if they win a bet.

Casino Rye Ale is a small-batch rye ale, single-hopped with Equinox hops, producing a pine, dry orange, grassy notes with resin flavour. A share of the profits from the sales of this ale will be added to the betting total.

Taking gambles

James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog said: “BrewDog is built on taking gambles and we have no intention of stopping any time soon.

"One spin, with potentially millions of dollars on the line. We win together, we lose together.

"In just a few seconds we could blow the craft beer revolution into the stratosphere and change things for ever. Whatever happens, it’s going to be a hell of a crazy ride.”

The gamble and its result will be broadcast live on BrewDog’s Facebook page.