Scottish craft beer firm BrewDog is cracking Australia with support from the UK Government as part of its drive to help British brands grow overseas.
Aberdeenshire-based BrewDog is celebrating a £12million boost to its global revenues by expanding its operations into bars in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
British diplomats based at the UK’s Consulate General in Brisbane have been helping BrewDog to navigate Australia’s vibrant drinks sector by hosting events showcasing the company’s craft beer range to over sixty Australian distributors and retailers.
Australian-born Foreign Office Minister Catherine West toasted the news while on an official visit Down Under to deepen economic ties and meet British businesses.
Speaking from Sydney, she said: “Brits and Aussies have a lot in common, but enjoying a cold beer brings our people together like little else.
“As BrewDog’s experience in Australia shows, our diplomats can open doors for British businesses so they can seize opportunities to grow.
“Together, we are growing the UK economy and ultimately putting more money in the pockets of British people as we deliver on our Plan for Change.”
BrewDog was supported by British diplomats throughout their expansion journey, including through:
- Showcasing BrewDog products at UK government events.
- Hosting networking receptions and events at the Consulate, including providing introductions at The Fine Food and Wine B2B trade show.
- Providing BrewDog with contacts for finding new suppliers.
Calvin McDonald, Head of Australia Operations at BrewDog said: “The team at the British Consulate are always available and ready to come forward with opportunities for us.
“When BrewDog expanded out here in Australia, we started from scratch with the aim of building a free-standing operation that can make a great contribution to the global business.
“We rocked up with nothing and set up the bar before we even had a brewery. But thanks to the support of the British Consulate, we have built BrewDog Australia into a standalone success.”
BrewDog was founded in 2007 before opening its first bar in 2008 in Aberdeen.
The company now employs more than 2,700 people, including at its headquarters in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, and exports to more than 60 countries with venues in over 120 countries.
Driving deeper diplomatic relationships with some of the UK’s closest economic partners is at the heart of the Foreign Secretary’s vision for the Foreign Office as the international delivery arm of growth.
As part of this, the Foreign Secretary has announced a range of measures to drive deeper connections between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and businesses, including the formation of a new risk and insight service, the Geopolitical Impact Unit; and a Diplomatic Advisory Hub within the British Chambers of Commerce to support SMEs.
