BREWDOG has declared that sales were running more than 90 per cent ahead of 2016 in the year to September, with growth driven by its flagship Punk IPA ale.

The Ellon-based brewer, which made a £3.7 million profit on revenue of £71.8m last year, said its growth mirrors the continuing rise of craft beer across the UK. It said UK craft beer sales were worth £814m in the 12 months to September, up 10 per cent on the year before.

BrewDog, whose founders James Watt and Martin Dickie sold a 22 per cent stake to US private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners for £213m earlier this year, unveiled details of its sales growth as it launched a major recruitment drive. The company, which employed nearly 600 staff last year, is currently hiring for 11 sales positions around the UK.

The drive comes as the brewer is looking to raise a further £50 million with a fifth crowdfunding drive.

Head of sales Steve Ricketts said: “Craft beer continues to buck the sales trend in the UK and our phenomenal year so far is testament to that fact.

“Beer drinkers are increasingly savvy and they now expect flavour and character from the beers they drink and they expect their local pubs and bars to offer a rich variety of options. Our success so far demonstrates that the craft beer revolution is far from over, and as we gear up for 2018, we’re ready to take it up a notch and bring more passionate people into the BrewDog family.”