Meet the 12 brewers bringing back beer

At Funding Circle we celebrate the people who’ve turned their passions into livelihoods, supporting their families and local communities. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things, pushing the economy forward. This week we’re looking at some of the independent breweries that have flourished thanks to Funding Circle investors.

Up north

1) Roosters Brewery in North Yorkshire brews modern classic Yankee which scooped a silver at the 2017 International Beer Awards and Baby-Faced Assassin which achieved a gold medal at the same event. To continue investing in brewing capacity, Roosters have borrowed over £150,000 since 2015.

2) Over 500 investors helped the Worsthorne Brewing Company in Lancashire expand and keep up with growing demand for their cask ales. Established in 2011, the brewery has quickly gained a reputation for quality. Try their award-winning Old Trout or Blackthorne Stout.

Down south

3) Over 800 investors helped Gloucester Brewery create an onsite bar and renovate their building. This year, the brewers are concentrating on using new world hops from New Zealand, Australia and US.

4) In the heart of the Devon countryside, Hunter’s Brewery uses only the best locally-sourced ingredients. Last year, you and other investors helped them increase brewing capacity by installing a new fermentation room.

5) Based in an old brick and flint grain store in Oxfordshire, Loddon Brewery borrowed back in 2015 to hire a new specialist member of staff. Choose from their range of beers in the brewery shop, including ‘rich, nutty and malty’ Hullabaloo and ‘highly hopped session ale’ Hoppit.

6) Named after the famous naval hero, Nelson Brewery situated in The Historic Dockyard Chatham uses the finest Kent hops to produce a wide variety of ales including their Admiral of the Fleet. The brewery borrowed in 2016 to buy new equipment and increase production.

In London

London has been at the epicentre of the recent British beer revolution, with a whole host of taprooms and breweries offering tours sprouting up across the capital.

7) If you’re central, take a short walk from London Bridge and hidden under the railway arches you’ll find Brew By Numbers.The brewery, which borrowed earlier this year to finance expansion, hosts a range of events including beer and cheese evenings in their Tasting Room.

8) At By The Horns in south-west London you can find beer ‘that makes an impression’. Enjoy a pale ale in their taproom or rent out the beer hall for a special occasion. Over 1,500 Funding Circle investors helped the brewery purchase larger fermentation vessels to increase production.

9) When you’re out east, bumble across to Crate Brewery in Hackney Wick who first borrowed in 2015 to expand. While you’re there take a tour of the Brewshed or enjoy a pint and hand-rolled pizza in their fantastically up-cycled bar.

10) Based further north, check out Redemption Brewery in Tottenham and taste their range of 7 core cask ales onsite. They often have local pop-up food stalls as well so you can really make an evening of it. Redemption have borrowed over £90,000 since 2016 to support growth.

In the midlands

11) If you’re still thirsty there’s Byatt’s Brewery near Coventry who borrowed £50,000 to invest in equipment after moving to a 12 barrel brewery.

Whether you prefer cask, can, case or keg we hope you’ve enjoyed our journey across the country discovering the delights of real ale. Check back next time when we’ll be visiting even more fantastic Funding Circle borrowers.

Remember, by lending to businesses your capital is at risk. Not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.