Aberdeenshire beer giant’s museum bid

Craft beer giants BrewDog have lodged plans for a new bar including a beer museum next to its north-east headquarters.

The company said it hopes to create a “world-class visitor experience” to help draw tourists to Ellon.

BrewDog has bought a building next to its own premises on the Balmacassie industrial estate in Ellon and wants to convert the front section of it into a pub.

The proposed DogTap bar would replace an existing premises at the brewery which has been deemed “no longer big enough” and “oversubscribed.”

The new bar could also feature a shop, a kitchen offering hot food, a dedicated events area and a beer museum which would give an insight into the brewing process.

Engineering firm Power Jacks had been based at the site since 2011 until they moved to Westhill at the start of last year. BrewDog had earlier announced it was hoping to open a 26-bedroom hotel at the site in Ellon, although this has not been mentioned in the latest plans.

A planning statement lodged with the council said the rest of the building would be used as a warehouse and production facility.

Documents prepared by London-based First Plan on behalf of BrewDog said: “The proposal will ensure an absolutely world-class visitor experience and help to support BrewDog’s ongoing long-term presence at this site as their headquarters and as a major local employer.

“The bar and its dedicated events space and beer museum will attract thousands of tourists to Aberdeenshire every year, enhancing Ellon’s prestige as a visitor destination.”

The majority of customers were expected to travel to the site by bus or taxi, the statement added.