Drop Bear Beer Co., the renowned alcohol-free beer specialist, is reaching new heights with the recent acquisition of the brewery and assets of fellow Welsh brewer Tomos Watkin. Co-founded by the dynamic wife and wife team, Joelle and Sarah Drummond, Drop Bear Beer Co. is set to christen its first physical brewery on the night of January 6, 2024, marking a monumental moment in the company’s journey.
The Swansea-based business successfully raised £2.1 million from a combination of private investors and crowdfunding to facilitate the acquisition and upgrade brewing equipment on-site. Joelle Drummond, co-founder of Drop Bear Beer Co., described the purchase as a “watershed” moment, emphasising that the new brewery would empower the company to produce up to 25 million cans of its alcohol-free brews annually.
Owning the production and packaging processes of Drop Bear’s beers is anticipated to increase profitability significantly, providing more resources for sales and marketing initiatives. The strategic decision to retain Tomos Watkin’s two full-time staff members demonstrates Drop Bear’s commitment to preserving independent Welsh breweries.
“We’re really passionate about keeping independent Welsh breweries alive,” said Joelle Drummond. “We’re in a situation where we’re seeing breweries close constantly, so we saw this as an opportunity to save one.”
The new 16,000 sq ft brewery commenced production earlier this month, gearing up for the official launch event in January. With an expanded production capacity, Drop Bear aims to build on its 200-store footprint across Co-op in England and Tesco stores across the UK. Joelle Drummond underlines the importance of retail expansion, saying: “The number one place that people are discovering alcohol-free is still supermarkets. So retail is really key for us.”
In addition to supermarkets, Drop Bear Beer Co. has plans to explore new formats, including beer in keg format, and expand its reach through global exports. The company’s product range, including Tropical IPA, Yuzu Pale Ale, Bonfire Stout, and New World Lager variants, all with an ABV of 0.5%, has gained national prominence and is currently stocked in Co-op, Tesco, Ocado, and Amazon.
The christening of the new brewery on the night of January 6, 2024, is expected to be a momentous occasion for Drop Bear Beer Co. as it continues to revolutionise the alcohol-free beer market and strengthen its position as a leading player in the industry.
