A CRAFT brewery started by friends as a hobby is looking to triple its capacity with an injection of capital investment.

Bedlam Brewery is probably the closest beer producers to Brighton and Hove and is based at Albourne Farm Estate at the foot of the South Downs.

It was originally founded in 2012 by Nick Cooper and James O’Connor, who are still shareholders, and launched commercially in February of this year at the Craft Beer Rising convention in London.

It has already made a name for itself, holding its own in the booming craft beer market, and winning acclaim from drinkers.

Under the direction of Dominic Worrall, owner of The Bull pub in Ditchling, the brewery is looking to expand from a capacity of 9,000 litres a week to up to 30,000 litres a week.

The expansion will be paid for by a £250,000 cash injection from investors, while an additional £250,000 is also being sought via crowdfunding.

Meanwhile Bedlam is preparing to launch its first kegged original recipe pilsner lager under the experienced hand of German head brewer Fabio Israel, who cut his teeth at Bavarian beer giant Warsteiner.

The brewery’s benchmark, golden, IPA and porter are already served in some 80 pubs in Sussex.

The investment will also save Bedlam from needing to move to new premises as it expands.

Dominic said: “We have a beautiful location next to two vineyards and we really embrace our rural environment.

“We generate our own energy via solar power, grow our own hops on-site and distribute all our spent grain for free to local farmers as cattle feed.”

He added: “We’re very much the new boys but we want to have an impact.

“Being 10 minutes from Brighton, the city is a very big part of my life, so it’s really important to make an impact and be a success there.

“The investment will secure us for the future. Established brewers like Dark Star are now having to relocate for the fourth time in 15 years. We want to have the capacity to allow us to grow without relocating.”