The directors of the East London Brewing Company (ELB) have announced that, for the first time, they are seeking external finance to help them take the brewery to the next level.

The funding round forms part of plans to double the company’s brewing capacity and establish an ELB Tap Room, which will allow the brewery to expand both its UK and export business, and further strengthen the brand.

East London Brewing CoTotally self-funded to date, ELB was founded by Stuart Lascelles and Claire Ashbridge-Thomlinson in 2011 and brews beer for cask, keg, bottle and can, which it distributes in the UK and beyond. The brewery has achieved year-on-year growth since its inception and, at peak times, now finds itself at capacity.

Claire said: ‘’We’ve come a long way since we gave up our day jobs and decided to make the leap back in 2011. Now, seven years down the line, with both of us working full-time at the brewery, ELB’s expanded into three adjacent units, we have a team of wonderful people, and brew a range of award-winning regular ales, complemented by seasonal specials.

“Having begun with cask ales, we’ve moved into keg, bottle and, most recently, cans. Our solid customer base
includes local independents, national companies and everything in between, but capacity has become a real issue, hence our need to upgrade the plant.”

Stuart added: “An ELB taproom is something we’ve wanted to put in place for a while and we’re really excited that it’s finally coming to fruition — watch this space!”

ELB is initially looking for £500,000 of external funding to help realise its plans.