West Berkshire Brewery launches £1.5m crowdfunding campaign

The business, which has been valued at just over £7m, is led by beer and pub entrepreneur David Bruce and the money raised will fund a larger brewery, the brewer’s first pub and a new range of beers under the Renegade Brewery label.

Read: The PMA​’s Big Interview with David Bruce​

Bruce said: “In the past two years this business has gone ballistic with its expansion: last year sales grew 23%; they are up 19% this year already. So we are motoring. But we remain very ambitious and feel like we’re just getting started, and we have this great opportunity to build on our success and momentum.

“However, to do that we need to move the brewery to a bigger home and invest in some other landmark initiatives that will help create a much bigger business and fuel our growth.  And so we are inviting all like-minded people who wish to share this experience to join us.”

A new brewery site close to the original site in Yattendon, Berkshire, has already been earmarked by the business, which said the new site would have 10 times the brewing capacity of its existing facility.

The crowdfunding campaign launched over the Easter weekend and will run for 60 days, with shares priced at £3 each and a minimum purchase of five shares.

West Berkshire Brewery has annual sales of approximately £2m and is listed by Enterprise Inns, Mitchells & Butlers and Punch.