Irishman Steve Ryan, owner of renowned Dalston’s independent 40ft Brewery, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support two new venues this summer. The brewery, which is also celebrating its 10th birthday, is hoping to raise £50,000.
The first of the venues will be a brewery and taproom on Blackhorse Beer Mile in Walthamstow, London’s famous beer trail, which Ryan hopes will be a local communal hub for children and their parents. It will include a dog park, and a fully hireable spaces for events, food pop-ups and weddings.
The second will be a permanent takeover of the Dalston RoofPark, where 40ft drew its first-ever pint in 2015, bringing a full-circle moment to its legacy. Reclaiming itself as a communal hub here too, 40ft seems intent on returning to its roots as a matter of course. 40ft moving in will see the rooftop bar reopen, having been closed since last summer.
Whetting the whistle for prospective investors will be a range of incentives, from “double your money credit” on all beer, to more bespoke options: there’s a Pay it Forward option that adds drinks to a perpetual bar tab for first responders for £5, or four kegs of beer and a kegerator to pour them for £350. Others can buy a £55 ticket to the Walthamstow opening party, with free beer all night, while bigger investors can, for £10,000, use the brewery to host a private party or a wedding with drinks for up to 200 guests.
“Unlike equity crowdfunds, this campaign gives you an immediate return on your investment, especially at a time when money is tight,” says Ryan. “The brewery is growing up, just as we are. Dalston is where I met my wife and the Walthamstow taproom is where we’ll bring our family. Both spaces will serve different needs of the community.”
“We’re crowdfunding to help raise awareness of our new venues and offer our guests an immediate return on their investment, by stretching their money across multiple visits and venues.”
The crowdfunder is now live, and will run until August 8.
For more information or to donate, visit crowdfunder.co.uk
