BREWDOG has revealed more than 9,000 new investors from around Europe have backed its latest crowdfunding drive, pouring more than £5 million into the craft beer firm since the offer launched last month.

But the tally remains some way adrift from the £50m which the Ellon-based company is ultimately aiming to raise from its fifth crowdfunding drive.

The firm, which has attracted nearly 60,000 investors through its Equity for Punks initiative, raising around £41m through the first four rounds, has set itself an initial £10m target for the latest offer.

It will use the funds to build breweries in Australia and Asia, and increase the capacity and develop a dedicated sour beer facility, named The Overworks, at its Aberdeenshire site.

BrewDog said the launch date for the facility has moved closer, with the materials and equipment needed currently being fitted into the building. It will be used to brew a range of sour and “spontaneously fermented” beers.

The firm has also committed to using the funding to add a further 15 craft beer outlets to its UK bar network, building on the current tally of 30. In total it operates nearly 50 bars around the world.

BrewDog reported earlier this month that its UK sales were up 90 per cent in the year to September on the same period in 2016. It made a £3.7m profit on sales of £71.8m last year.