Last August, we celebrated our fifth anniversary, and we did it in our favorite way: surrounded by friends and collaborators who have made it possible for us to be where we are today. That's why we want to invite you to actively participate in our next phase of growth, with a project we've been working on for a long time, and which will finally see the light of day this year 2020: a new Althaia brewery, bigger, with greater production capacity, and accompanied by a taproom for true beer lovers. The first round of funding is now open; we'll tell you everything you need to know if you decide to join us as an investor, or you can do so now from this link.
Why a new facility?
Currently, we have a 500L Brewhouse (the space where we brew); four 500L fermenters; three 1000L fermenters; and an automatic bottling/labeling machine. This equipment provides us with a maximum production capacity of 6,000L/month, which leaves our warehouse every month. This means that our supply is lower than demand, a balance that makes it necessary to increase our production capacity to supply our distributors.
The project involves conditioning a warehouse equipped with machinery that will allow us to improve the production process, as well as the creation of a taproom with multiple taps where visitors can taste our beers while observing how they are brewed. All of this will be largely powered by photovoltaic energy, taking advantage of the sun our area provides, which will position us as a green and environmentally conscious company.
The new facilities, which will continue to be located in Altea - the town that gives meaning to our name and style - will allow us to increase our total production to 300,000L per year, and thus take our beers to more corners of Spain and the world. We are committed, as always, to natural growth, which allows us to respect the quality and care we put into each batch we brew, a commitment that has led us to win, in five years since our inception, 21 national and international medals in the most prestigious competitions.
The current situation of the sector
The independent and/or craft beer sector is experiencing a sweet spot thanks to an increasingly demanding and knowledgeable consumer, who demands surprising beers, and different ones for every occasion. The Althaia family was born to satisfy this need and curiosity, and due to this approach, the sales rotation of our beers is evenly distributed among the entire family that makes up the range.
As we can see in the following graph, the market trend itself predicts a maturity of the craft beer segment, which each year sees its market share grow incessantly, as it did in the United States a few years ago, and which has led the craft segment to currently account for 20% of total beer consumption in that country.
The clearest demonstration of this trend can be found in large beer producers, who in recent years have rushed to launch their own version of "craft" beers (Molson Coors, AB InBev, Heineken, Mahou...). However, the recognition that endorses beers like our IPA, the best-rated in Spain according to the Madrid Brew Competition, ahead of proposals from Estrella Damm or Cruzcampo, highlights the quality and good projection that smaller breweries like ours possess.
How do we want to finance the project?
To finance the project, we have turned to our friends at Fellow Funders, the leading alternative online investment platform in Spain, with the goal of raising more than 500,000 euros through a participatory funding round (or equity crowdfunding).
For those unfamiliar with this concept, the essence of crowdfunding is collective financing, that is, the contribution of money by different people to support a project through a specific platform. This type of investment is also based on four basic pillars that define Fellow Funders, and that led us to want to count on their experience, advice, and management: confidence in supporting solid and viable projects; transparency in the management and coordination of participation rounds; digital and project execution security, and the accompaniment that Fellow Funders provides to both project promoters and investors.
What do you get in return for your investment?
Your investment will make you a shareholder of Althaia, so you will participate in the distribution of annually generated profits and have access to financial information. In addition, as a welcome, you will receive a personalized membership card, a t-shirt, an exclusive Althaia print, and a reward package according to the investment amount, which you can consult here.
I'm interested in collaborating! How can I do it or request more information?
If you are interested in becoming an investor and joining us, indicate your interest in the following link (you will only need to provide us with some basic contact information). Doing so does not imply any commitment; you will only receive additional information so that you can make an informed decision. The first round will open in a few weeks; once registered, we will inform you of everything.
We would love to have you join us in this new chapter of our history! Are you in?