An Edinburgh sour beer producer that began as a hobby in a local flat has ramped up production to meet record international demand.
Vault City reported that production volumes are projected to rise by 38% this year compared to 2023, following a previous 21% increase between 2023 and 2025.
The sour beer producer expects its use of fruit to increase by 40% by the end of the year to satisfy changing consumer tastes.
The independent brewer is also on track to reach a £10m turnover milestone for the first time by the end of 2027.
The company, which releases at least three new flavours every fortnight, recently launched its ‘999 GL’ beer. The beverage contains 999 grams of fruit per litre, which is the legal maximum amount allowed before the product would be classified as a cider.
Co-founder Steven Smith-Hay started the business brewing batches in his two-bedroom flat. Last year, the company sold 3.3 million cans, exporting to 26 countries and supplying more than 5,000 UK supermarkets.
Steven Smith-Hay said: “We’ve seen a real shift in customers wanting more fruit flavours in their drinks, and that goes well beyond beer.
“They increasingly want products made with real fruit because they value the authenticity behind those flavours, and that’s something we’ve doubled down on.
“We now use more than 200,000 kilograms of Scottish‑sourced strawberries, raspberries and other fruits each year, supported by a strong supplier network.
“We’ve also made a conscious effort to intensify flavour by increasing the amount of fruit in our beers, especially the more ‘smoothie‑like’ styles.
“But what matters most is that we’ve built a niche family of products and a dedicated community around them, and both have grown organically as we expand our range.”
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