BrewDog Hops the Pond to America

Scotland-based BrewDog has settled on a location for its first American brewery: Columbus, Ohio. Though the exact location has not yet been announced, BrewDog has agreed to purchase 42 acres of Great Lakes land with plans to build a 100-barrel, 100,000 square foot brewing facility, taproom, restaurant and offices. The new facility will create around 100 new jobs.

The project will be at least partially funded by BrewDog’s Equity for Punks crowdfunding campaign, which aims to raise $25 million, with $4.6 million allocated to the American brewery.

Columbus won out over other cities due to its location, financial incentives and its citizens, according to a statement on BrewDog’s website:

“We considered so many potential locations in the U.S., but eventually it was how much we loved the people of Columbus and how welcome they made us feel on our visits that put Columbus firmly at the top of our list.”

As a vibrant and centrally located craft beer community, Columbus boasts a market somewhat less rooted in East or West Coast beer ideology.

“The interesting thing with Columbus is that it is a major test market,” said Tim Powell of Think Marketing, an Ohio-based restaurant and beverage consulting firm.  “We have a pretty diversified consumer base of people. The craft-beer markets are really both coasts, but here there isn’t as much competition.”

More details of the purchase are expected to be finalized June 29, at the next meeting of the Ohio Tax Credit Authority.