BrewDog outlines brewery and HQ plans

The announcement follows the creation this year of its custom-built 300 HL Ziemanns brewery plant – which required extensive work at the Aberdeenshire site prior to opening in May 2016.

But the brewery-operator has now said fermentation capacity at the new brewhouse will include 1,800 hectolitres (HL) fermentation vessels during 2017.

Each vessel has the ability to produce more than half a million bottles – and to accompany the move, improvements to the firm’s bottling line will also be made.

Sour brewing 

Plans for the brewery’s first stand-alone sour brewing facility – dubbed BrewDog Overworks – has been through planning with construction at the Ellon site expected to begin in January 2017.

The firm hopes the facility will be functioning by the autumn with the first beers in the pipeline including Berliner Weisses, farmhouse ales fermented in oak foudres and ‘Old World style’ IPAs and porters.

DogTap bar

The brewery’s on-site bar, the DogTap, will include an increased capacity pilot brewery kit that will showcase the sours range ahead of production at the new facility, as well as other small-batch beers, which will be offered to bars and beer festivals throughout 2017.

Other improvements to the bar include new seating areas, an extended kitchen and a merchandise shop.

BrewDog also gave an update on its progress on the new Lone Wolf distillery, which is ‘on schedule’ for opening in early 2017 – with a projected launched in January or February next year for its gin, vodka and whisky facility.

Profits to be shared

Profit-sharing schemes for employees – dubbed the Unicorn Fund – have also been put in place for staff to share 10% of profits.

Additionally, a target of 60% internal promotions to retain staff within BrewDog will be put in place.