Alcohol-free brewer Big Drop has launched a new crowdfunding campaign to support the expansion of its draught beer offering and replicate its innovative brewing model in new global markets. The campaign, hosted on the Seedrs platform, aims to raise £450,000 and places the company at a pre-money valuation of £11.3 million.

This move follows Big Drop’s strategic shift away from contract brewing in the UK to a licensing model developed in partnership with In Good Company (IGC), the owner of Fourpure and Magic Rock. IGC, formerly part of Australian giant Lion, has since returned to its independent roots. Under this new arrangement, IGC brews and sells Big Drop beers while Big Drop leverages the existing sales infrastructure, allowing it to reduce overheads and reinvest in brand growth.

A model for scalable, low-cost growth

Big Drop’s partnership with IGC has enabled the company to expand its alcohol-free range on draught, focusing on key UK cities like London, Manchester, and Liverpool. According to the brewery, the licensing model benefits both parties. IGC handles production and sales, while Big Drop is freed up to focus on brand-building and expansion with minimal upfront costs.

Co-founder Rob Fink believes this model is the future for scalable brewing in today’s market. “Contract brewing, or running a brewery, whilst also trying to invest significant marketing dollars on growth is no longer a viable business model, as it was pre-2022,” Fink said. “By leveraging a brewing partner’s production and sales capacity, we don’t need to spend cash on working capital but instead can concentrate our investment on growing the brand.”

The funds raised will go toward replicating this model in new territories. Big Drop has already been brewing under contract in the US since 2021 and is in discussions with potential licensing partners there. The company has also awarded new brewing licences to partners in Singapore and Australia, with the former acting as an export hub for the wider Southeast Asian market.

Expanding draught presence in UK pubs

A major focus of Big Drop’s UK strategy is increasing the visibility of its alcohol-free beers on draught. The brewery has secured listings with pub groups such as Mitchells & Butlers and Hall & Woodhouse, and aims to grow its presence further in the coming months.

“Pouring a pint of alcohol-free beer from a bar-top font helps destigmatise any remaining notions that it is somehow an inferior option to an alcoholic beer,” Fink explained. “We have a plan to encourage trial in pubs through merchandise, competitions, and that old favourite: free beer.”

The emphasis on draught isn’t just symbolic. With 95% of all beer sold in UK pubs served on draught, offering a tap option could significantly boost sales and mainstream appeal. Fink believes that removing barriers around alcohol-free beer begins with offering it in the same format and environment as traditional beer.

Positioning for long-term brand growth

While Big Drop originally relied on contract brewing to establish itself in the market, the company now sees the licensing model as key to its long-term success. With breweries around the world expressing interest in taking on a licence, the brand is poised for international growth without the overhead of managing physical brewing facilities.

The crowdfunding campaign represents the next step in that journey, offering investors the chance to back a business that has already proven its market viability. With a clear focus on innovation, partnerships, and market trends, Big Drop is positioning itself not just as a leader in alcohol-free beer, but as a brand redefining how that beer reaches consumers worldwide.