BrewDog eyes Asia expansion after Hong Kong launch

BrewDog opens Hong Kong bar​

Scottish craft brewer BrewDog is eyeing further expansion into Asia after opening its first bar in Hong Kong last week.

The site, which opened to the public on Wednesday 25 October, is located close to the Lan Kwai Fong district in central Hong Kong.

BrewDog Bars chief executive James Brown said: “We want to expand our presence in the world’s biggest beer market and China has seen a huge rise in demand for craft beer from drinkers, so it’s a great opportunity to for us commercially and to build the brand in the market.”

He said the bar design kept with the industrial look found across BrewDog’s bar estate, but it had also added a few special features to make it feel distinctly Hong Kong.

The opening was celebrated with a launch event with “plenty of beers flowing and a brilliant turnout,” said Brown.

He added: “We even had a local bagpiper join in the fun.”

The Hong Kong bar is the first bar to open under a joint venture with Budweiser China.

Brown said: “This bar is the first of many bold plans with our joint-venture partner Budweiser China, which will see us bring BrewDog to every corner of the world’s biggest beer market.

“Over the coming years we will be opening more venues and locations across China and throughout Asia, which will be genuinely transformational for us as we grow globally and continue to spread our passion for quality beer."

The bar has 16 taps of craft beer, ranging from BrewDog Headliners, small batch specials, local craft brews, and wine, as well as spirits and cocktails from BrewDog Distilling Co.

Food on offer will include BrewDog burgers, and wings, alongside takes on some classic dishes.

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BrewDog launches Amsterdam bar

BrewDog opened its new bar in Amsterdam Centraal Station on Friday 13 October.

It is the operator’s second site in the Netherlands, joining BrewDog Rotterdam Outpost.

The new venue is part of a partnership with SSP, an operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations.

The brand’s classic interior and styling feature at the bar, as well as neon signage, green foliage and huge glass frontage.

An unusual feature in the bar is takeaway beer fridge, dubbed TRAIN BEERS, loaded with BrewDog and local craft breweries canned beers to takeaway.

The bar will pour BrewDog beers, featuring their headliners and seasonal small batch beers alongside a curated selection of local craft beer across 15 taps.

BrewDog Distilling Co will feature in the spirits and cocktail line-up and the bar will offer a selection of wines and coffee. 

Dutch staple, bitterballen, will be on offer as well as burgers, wings and pizza.

BrewDog Bars chief executive James Brown said: “Amsterdam has always had a vibrant craft beer scene and we’re so excited to open the doors to our fantastic new bar in the iconic Centraal station.

“Whether its travellers stepping off the train to visit Amsterdam, city locals or those grabbing a train beer for an onward journey, we’re looking forward to welcome everyone into the bar.”

Lancaster’s oldest pub reopens for Halloween​

The Three Mariners in Lancaster, Lancashire, has received a new lease of life after a hefty refurb from Robinsons Brewery.

The historic city centre pub has been renovated to retain its original character.

The designer at Robinsons who was in charge of the scheme said: “Aesthetically, the aim was simple, to ensure it looked like it had always been there.

“Working with pubs like the Three Mariners, which have such historic significance is always interesting.

“To create something that is desirable and looks great, with the intention to look aged and well embedded in the pub.”

The pub features 12 hand-pulls on the new bar and an added 10 kegged beers.

The choice of beers range from Robinsons Dizzy Blonde to craft beers like Luna Stout.

Operators open second Greene King pub​

Operators Rodger Scotton and Justine McKenzie have taken on their second pub with Greene King Pub Partners, the Royal Oak, in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

The pub reopened after two years following a £230,000 transformation by Greene King Pub Partners, the leased, tenanted and franchise business unit of Greene King.

The venue is one of the oldest pubs in St Ives.

Inside, the pub has been upgraded with new seating, a new paint scheme, as well as fixtures and fittings including new lighting, pictures and decorations.

The bathroom facilities in the pub have also been upgraded, and a number of open fireplaces have been revamped.

The pub has also had a full external redecoration including new signage.

Drinks on offer will include craft lagers and ales, and ‘pub charcuterie’ including cheeseboards and Ploughman’s lunches will also be served.

Greene King Pub Partners operations director Phil Arnold said: “We are really pleased as well to be operating the pub with Rodger and Justine, expanding our 15-year partnership with them. They are the perfect operators for this pub as they are local and successfully run hospitality businesses in the area already.”

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Lucky Voice to launch Waterloo site in spring​

Social entertainment brand Lucky Voice is set to open a £1.6m site in London Waterloo, central London, in spring.

The 3,200 sq ft venue will be the brand’s fifth London venue and will open in The Sidings. It will also be the operator’s first London venue to open south of the river.

Lucky Voice managing direction Charlie Elek said: “We’re thrilled to announce our fifth London venue in LCR’s The Sidings development. Opening in high profile locations near major transport hubs is a key part of our growth strategy, and this destination location on the South Bank, The Sidings, ticks all the right boxes for us.”

Lucky Voice joins fine-dining concept Rosarium, the two-storey UK-flagship location of BrewDog, Nandos, and a host of boutique retail destinations, including Kiehls and Neuhaus, at The Sidings.

It has been designed to reflect the area’s creative spirit and the surrounding locations such as Leake Street Arches, Royal Festival Hall and the National Theatre.

North Brewing opens first international site​

Leeds-based brewer and operator North Brewing has announced has opened its first international bar in Treviso, Italy.

North Bar Treviso offers 13 tap lines alongside an extensive cocktail, wine and spirits menu with nine of the taps exclusively dedicated to North’s range of brews.

Furthermore, the Italian bar, which opened its doors to the public earlier this month (October), also features an on-site barbecue grill, serving burgers, sandwiches and beef joints.

While North Bar Treviso is the group’s first international establishment, it operates 11 other bars and taprooms in the UK.

This included in 2022, the multi-site operator took its first steps outside of its home county by opening its ninth site in Birmingham.

Read more here​

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