O Brother Brewing has secured €600k in funding from a group of investors, including former Irish Rugby star Devin Toner.
This is the most significant investment to date in the family-owned craft brewery, and Toner’s first investment in the beverage sector.
The funding is supported by the Wicklow Local Enterprise Office (LEO).
The Wicklow-based brewery aims to boost its output to two million pints over the next five years and reach over €3.5 million in annual revenue by 2027.
It recently moved operations from Kilcoole to Belmont Demesne, near Greystones.
Production at the new location is set to begin this spring.
The new premises will include a visitor centre, offering tours and a taproom, where people can enjoy the full range of beers on offer, as well as some brewery-only exclusives.
‘Stand Out’
The ex-Leinster and Irish Rugby second row Toner moved into financial planning following his retirement from the sport.
On his foray into the beverage sector, Toner said that there were many upsides to investing in the O Brother brewery.
Toner said, “You have three brothers who have poured their passion into building an exciting enterprise from their hobby and vision.
“Along the way, they’ve made some very smart business decisions while creating fantastic-tasting beers that stand out wherever you see them on the shelves.”
Toner added, “I really admire the path they’re on, and [I] am thrilled to back the next stage in their journey.”
‘Great Confidence’
The chief executive of O Brother Brewing, Barry O’Neill, said that the funding from investors gave the business momentum and confidence.
O’Neill said, “We’ll put this investment to work in recruiting new and experienced personnel to the team, in building brand awareness and availability, developing our domestic and export markets further, and bringing our vision for our Belmont Demesne operation to life.”
O’Neill concluded, “We’ve been ambitious since Day One, and our investors are helping us to take our brand vision and plans to the next level.”
O Brother’s beers are naturally unfiltered and unpasteurised, with names such as the Chancer, the Dreamcatcher and the Sinner.
The beers are available across Ireland in selected bars and retailers, such as O’Brien’s, SuperValu and Centra, with new listings to be announced.
Read More: O Brother Brewing Turns To Crowdfunding For Expansion Goals
