No/low brewery Nirvana embarks on new funding round

Nirvana, the UK’s only dedicated no/low-alcohol brewery, has embarked on a new funding round.

The brewery, founded in 2016, saw its overall Dry January sales increase by 50% year on year, with online sales up by 260%.

To build on this success, the brewery is now seeking to raise £750,000 from private investors – a year on from its last successful funding round. The money will enable it to expand its sales team and further develop export markets. Debt-free, Nirvana’s funding rounds have always targeted private investors, rather than crowdfunding methods more commonly seen in the sector.

Nirvana’s other successes in the past few weeks include securing major distribution via LWC, the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler, plus Nectar Wholesale, as well as across the National Trust’s 119 properties.

The brewery is also continuing its NPD programme, launching two new canned beers. ‘Heavenly’ is an orange and thyme sour, while ‘Hell-ish’ is a classic lager brewed with roasted jalapeños. Both were suggested by Nirvana’s social media followers, are 0.5% abv and vegan. They complement the brewery’s current range of seven styles and are available in 330ml cans.

Based in East London, Nirvana describes itself as ‘British brewing’s best-kept secret’. Run by founder Becky Kean (pictured), it has ambitious plans to capitalise on the no/low category’s continued growth.

Commenting on the latest funding round, Kean said: “We always prefer to seek investment from people who’ve experience of business, or brewing, or both. It makes for a stable, balanced, long-term operation that isn’t subject to the vagaries of crowdfunding. It also helps keep things tight and controlled – unlike many, we’ve no debt.”