Arran Brewery’s Arran Blonde saw sales grow by 11% in 2013. Currently Arran Blonde out sells Brewdog’s Punk IPA in the packaged beer segment of the Scotland’s ale market according to research conducted for the Scottish Grocer magazine.
Despite this growth Innis and Gunn’s Original moved up the table with impressive growth of 33% to push Arran into the 11th best seller slot from 10th last year.
The overall packaged ale market grew by 6% and Arran’s managing director Gerald Michaluk said: “I am happy with our growth which we capped last year for fear of producing more than 500,000 litres and incurring a higher duty rate. Both Innis and Gunn and Brewdog had very impressive growth rates and we will be looking for similar growth rates for Arran Blonde next year. I am a great admirer of both Innis and Gunn and Brewdog. Innis and Gunns model of not owning their own brewery is very clever and means they are not restricted in sales by production limitations as, C&C their brewer I understand, effectively can brew any amount of beer for them. While Brewdog have a very impressive fund raising model and hence have the cash to grow rapidly. So impressed with Brewdog was I that Arran has adopted, and is currently using, the same method to raise funds for the expansion of our business. Shares can be bought on line at www.arranbrew.co.uk”
Arran Brewery plans to expand its operations on Arran and is in the process of building a new brewery at Loch Earn and has acquired a further two sites for more brewery developments. It has had a roller coaster ride while not attracted the government financial support that some of its competitors have has none the less managed to perform well and act as an ambassador to the Island of Arran and all grain, whole hop natural ingredient craft brewing.
Further information from and full league table available in the Scottish Grocer Magazine March 2014
