Low-alcohol craft brewer Nirvana is plotting a six-figure funding round to fuel an expansion drive following rapid growth overseas.
The London-based brewery experienced “a spike” in interest from aboard in 2021, with exports rocketing by 550%.
Founder Becky Kean has opened up routes to market on several continents, with the beer sold in the likes of US, Chile, Japan, Kenya and Australia.
Nirvana is now accelerating expansion plans thanks to the international demand for its premium low-alcohol brews
The business – founded in 2016 – plans to raise £500,000 from private investors rather than from a crowdfunding campaign to allow it to focus on key objectives of UK draught and international packaged growth.
“We’ve seen huge success in our on and off-trade accounts and our own web shop,” Kean said.
“The awards and reputation this has earned us has brought some really surprising and exciting leads in countries all over the world – and we want to make sure we can meet the demand. We are now looking for strategic equity partners to make us a household name on supermarket shelves in the UK and across the world.”
Nirvana already has retail listings in the UK in the likes of Ocado, Planet Organic, Whole Foods and Abel & Cole.
As part of the ongoing expansion plans, Nirvana has also made a number of appointments to the team, including new head of sales Jon Hawtree.
Nirvana Brewery has six beers in its core portfolio, led by the flagship Bavarian Helles lager.
It claims to be the UK’s only dedicated low-alcohol producer to have its own brewery, which is uses for both production and innovation of new recipes.
On top of the all-year-round beers, Nirvana produces several specials throughout the year, and has collaborated with soft drink producer Square Root and Walthamstow brewery Wild Card.
The brewery hoped to expand its contract brewing program to allow for more experimentation and eventually a move into soft drinks under the same brand.
No comments yet