BrewDog kicked off their US expansion on Saturday, September 24 at their new brewery in Canal Winchester. It was the First Annual AGM USA. Most companies would refer to it as a stockholders meeting, but that’s not their style. AGM stands for Annual General Mayhem, and it was an 11 hour blowout of “beer, bands and business.” BrewDog co-founder and Captain (CEO) James Watt was on-site to review their history and future plans, accompanied by Head of Production Tim Hawn, CFO Neil Simpson, and local Project Manager Keith Bennet.
With 30 beers on tap, six bands playing, plus a 30 minute ‘business meeting’, it was indeed General Mayhem. It says a great deal about BrewDog’s support of the craft brewing industry that only eight of the 30 beers on tap were from BrewDog. The other 22 being poured were from Ohio brewers Seventh Son, Rockmill, Land-Grant, Fat Heads, and Rhinegeist, and out-of-state brewers Dogfish Head and Stone. And God Bless the Ohio Legislature, because two of the beers would have been illegal just a month ago. BrewDog’s Ship Wreck Triple IPA came in at 13.6% ABV, and Dogfish Head’s 120 Minute Imperial IPA at 18%. Both were excellent.
More than 1,000 Equity Punks (investors) were in attendance to enjoy beer, bands, food trucks and brewery tours, and to learn more about what lies ahead for Columbus’ newest — and biggest — brewery. BrewDog announced that the AGM attendees were represented from 20 different states as well as some that flew over from Scotland, Brazil and Venezuela. I met three cheeseheads from Green Bay Wisconsin who drove 10 hours to be here just for this event.
The good news is that that building is in place; the bad news is that the brewing equipment is not here yet. That means that beer production will not begin until January. Initial production will be at an 85,000 barrel annualized rate, with aspirations to be at a 600,000 barrel production rate in five years. Their 170-barrel brewing system and 22 fermenters will supply beer to their keg line, as well as a 40 head canning line.
The brewery’s taproom, DogTap, is slated to open in February, as is their new pub in Franklinton. James announced that the BrewDog pub will be close to Land-Grant on West Town Street. In addition to BrewDog beers, local brews will be on tap at both locations. Hawn explained that their 44 pubs ranging from Europe to Asia to South America (and now their very first in North America right here in Columbus) all feature guest beers as well. In fact, Columbus Brewing beers were served at their last AGM meeting in Scotland.
Brewer Tim Hawn plans to produce some of the classic’s from BrewDog’s international portfolio such as Punk IPA and Hardcore IPA, but look for some new styles and new beers from the local brewery. Hawn promised, “well made, well balanced beers that people can really enjoy.”
James promises that the Second Annual AGM USA will be bigger and better. To join in next year, you can invest in Equity for Punks at equityforpunksusa.com.
