Bedlam sales director, Danny Hoskins (left), and chief executive, Bob Emms
Sussex-based Bedlam Brewery has launched a second round of crowdfunding, looking to offer 20% of the business.
It has set a target of £600,000 with a stretch target of £800,000. This will fund a four-year plan to invest further in the brewery and expand the business in the South East and nationwide.
If the stretch target is achieved, a brewery tap will be created in Brighton.
Investment in 2016 enabled Bedlam to relocate and build a new brewery at the foot of the South Downs, ten miles north of Brighton. The site is powered by solar, while spent grain and hops feed local farm animals.
The setting has proved one of the major inspirations for the range of beers. Bedlam’s core focus has been to brew quality craft keg brews, such as Pilsner and Pale Ale, plus a cask range featuring brands such as Benchmark and the award-winning Phoenix. Alongside these core brands are innovative limited editions such as Smash, Wilde, and the very much in demand Vienna Lager Brou HaHa. These brands are now also available in cans.
A clear vision and an ambitious plan
Since the 2016 raise, turnover has risen considerably and Bedlam has increased its distribution across the on-trade in Sussex, the surrounding South East and in London. For the year ending March 31, average on-trade distribution was up more than 90% year on year, and turnover was up 57.5% at £526,000.
In order to drive the business forward, Bob Emms was appointed chief executive in January and has a clear vision for the business and an ambitious plan to grow beyond Sussex and the South East.
He said: “We brew award-winning beer that our customers love as much as we do, and over the past eight years Bedlam has built a family of impassioned, loyal beer lovers.
“With further investment, we are looking to invest in key areas of the business, capacity within the brewery, and people and brand investment in sales and marketing. With the continued commitment of our dedicated, expanded team, we will commit to making exceptional beer and develop the business within Sussex and beyond.”
• To read more about the crowdfunding offer, visit Crowdcube
