Set up through Crowdcube, the B Corp certified brewer is hoping that the funding injection will allow it to capitalise on the growing market for alcohol-free drinks by improving its digital marketing, increasing the capacity at its brewery in Suffolk and launching new products.
L.A Brewery products are currently stocked at Planet Organic, Amazon, Ocado and The Wine Society, while they are on the menu at restaurants such as Dishoom, Hawksmoor, Hakkasan, Leon, itsu and Nando’s. The brand also operates an e-commerce platform on its website.
Meanwhile, its micro-brewery in Suffolk is powered by 100% dark green energy from a biodigester that converts local organic waste into energy and its glass bottles and packaging are also 100% recyclable.
‘No and low industry is booming’
Founded by Louise Avery, its drinks are made using fermentation and ingredients like white tea, rhubarb, rose petals and hop flowers. L.A Brewery previously conducted a crowdfund in 2021, also with Crowdcube and increased revenues by 88% last year.
The move follows the recent addition of new managing director Meg Ellis, who joined the brand in September 2023. Ellis has 20 years of experience in brand growth and commercial leadership roles with retail, hospitality, leisure and lifestyle businesses, and is also a board member at Honest Burger.
Commenting on the launch of the crowdfunding campaign, Avery said that the brand had an “exciting 2024” ahead of it.
Avery continued: “Our first crowdfund enabled us to unlock our potential allowing us to invest in a lifestyle brand that has gone from strength to strength. This second raise comes at a time when the no and low industry is booming.”
The raise follows customer research conducted by L.A Brewery which found that over a third (34%) of Brits now claim to abstain from alcohol completely and a quarter (25%) are interested in sobriety.
In other news, the historic Adnams Brewery has confirmed that it is exploring a range of options to find new funding.
