BREWDOG has moved into the drinks distribution and importing business, as it confirmed it was considering plans to build a brewery of its own in the US.

The craft brewer revealed that beers from San Diego's Stone Brewing Co will be the first it will supply to beer drinkers in the UK.

Fast growing Brewdog will supply its own bars and other trade customers with the full range of beers from craft brewer, including permanent brands Stone to Go IPA, Stone IPA, Stone Ruination IPA and Arrogant Bastard Ale.

Customers will also be able to buy the brewer's limited edition ales throughout the year.

The beers can be ordered through Brewdog's current UK Direct Distribution business, and in bottle format through the Brewdog online shop.

Aberdeenshire-based Brewdog pledged the beers from Stone Brewing will be the first of many to be handled in the UK by its new distribution and importing arm, revealing that talks are underway with several craft breweries in the US and Europe. It expects to announce further tie-ups this year.

Co-founder James Watt said: "We have always been huge fans of Stone Brewing Co and have been lucky enough to make some epic collaboration beers with them.

"They have always been an inspiration to us, having been frontline ambassadors of the craft beer revolution in the USA for almost 20 years.

"This partnership is a natural extension of the passion we share for getting excited about craft beer and shaking up the status quo. With this new deal, the flourishing UK craft beer scene just got even more exciting."

A spokesman said Brewdog was looking into establishing a physical presence in the US, but could not say which form it would take.