Fundraising bids launched by distillery and low-alcohol beer business

The campaigns have both been lodged on fundraising platform Crowdcube with the distillery having reached 66% of its target after two days and the beer business overfunding immediately with 174% of target already met.

The Lakes Distillery has raised more than £828,000 from 644 investors while offering 2.12% equity in the business giving it a pre-money valuation of £57.6m. It said in its pitch: “Our ambition is to create one of the world’s finest sherry-matured single malt whiskies.”

Opportunity to innovate

It continued: “Having observed the evolution of the wine industry and the emergence of New World wine, we saw a similar opportunity to innovate within the world of whisky. The whisky market is rapidly expanding, forecast to almost double, from $60bn to $108bn, by 2031, with existing and new whisky consumers actively looking for new, exciting whiskies.

“Laying down our spirit into predominantly bespoke sherry casks, our maturing whisky stock sits at 1.4m 70cl equivalent bottles.”

It added the fundraise will allow it to start increasing single malt production “beyond historic levels to meet forecast future demand”.

Choice, not an ultimatum

Meanwhile, Small Beer Brew Co, which claims to have the world’s first brewery dedicated to classic beer styles below 2.8% ABV, has raised £523,000 from 420 investors and is offering 3.17% equity that gives it a pre-money valuation of £16m.

Its ambitions are to expand further in both the UK and abroad with the funds raised. Small Beer Brew Co said in its pitch: “With a record eight million taking part in dry January this year, the Small Beer Brewery is here to help you find the answer to ‘enjoyment without the consequences’ all-year round. With Small Beer, striking the perfect balance doesn't need to be a matter of ‘drinking’ or ‘not drinking’.

“Our range of five very different beer styles below 2.8% ABV is designed to give you choice rather than an ultimatum. Having delivered 137% year-on-year revenue growth in financial year 2020-21 to £1,032,919 (net loss for the same period, £422,626) we’re ready for our next phase of expansion, by boosting our brewing capacity and streamlining our operations in order to meet the increasing demand for lower ABV.”

Both campaigns have 28 days left to run.