Innis & Gunn has recently closed its crowdfunding drive which beat its target by 250% and has allowed the brand to expand with a chain of pubs across Scotland.
Sharp said: “If you look at the basket of internationally recognised craft beer brands, those that have succeeded at home and outside their home markets, you’ve got Sierra Nevada, Samuel Adams, Lagunitas Brewing Company and Scotland’s Innis & Gunn and Brewdog.
“It’s amazing that two of them have come from Scotland. I think Scotland can be justifiably proud of having two high profile companies in the craft beer space doing so well around the world.”
BrewDog has recently been valued at £1bn and is another example of a successfully crowdfunded craft beer brand.
Sharp believes that BrewDog’s recent deal worth £213 million demonstrates the large presence of Scottish craft brewers on a global scale, and the success of the crowdfunding model.
Sharp added: “Brewdog has done great things to expand awareness of craft beer. It’s evidence that the crowdfunding model is a sustainable model for financing craft beer businesses.
“More drinkers are rejecting bland mass-produced beers for flavour-packed craft beer like Innis & Gunn.”
Sharp said that Innis & Gunn is in discussions to open bars in Scotland, England, Sweden and Canada.
