A CRAFT beer company founded in Camden has been criticised by loyal customers after announcing it has sold up to the world’s biggest brewing firm.

Camden Town Brewery, which was founded in Hampstead and is based in Kentish Town, announced yesterday (Monday) that they had been acquired by AB InBev – a multi-national company based in Belgium that owns brands including Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois. 

Founded in 2010 by Australian Jasper Cuppaidge, the Camden Town Brewery has grown from a staff of three to a payroll of 95 over the past five years. Mr Cuppaidge said the takeover would fund new premises in Enfield.

But some supporters who have watched the previously independent firm grow reacted angrily to the news. 

Kate Corden, who lives in Swiss Cottage, was one of more than 2,000 fans to join a crowdfunding drive earlier this year that raised £2.7million to help expand the business. 

All those who invested are now being offered a buy-out, but Ms Corden, who invested along with her husband and several friends, said she was “highly disappointed” by the decision, adding: “It is financially going to work out quite well for us, but that’s not why we invested.

“It was local and independent. Everyone was so passionate about it and the staff were so great and really invested in it. Now it’s going to just become a corporate entity. I’m sure they’ll try and keep some of their spirit, but it’s not going to be the same and I’m not going to feel the same way about it.”

James Watt, who owns rival craft beer producer Brew Dog, responded to the news within minutes and said his company would no longer be selling any Camden Town Brewery beers in any of its 33 bars – which includes a branch in Bayham Street, Camden Town.

The owners of the award-winning Rose and Crown in Torriano Avenue, Kentish Town, said on Twitter that selling beer produced by AB Inbev “totally goes against what we believe in as a small craft beer pub”. 

Mr Cuppaidge described AB Inbev as a “strategic partner” who would help them to maintain the “character and quality” of their beers, which include Camden Hells and Camden Pale Ale. 

He added: “Our growth has been phenomenal. To keep up with the demand for our distinctive beers we’ve had to look at expanding our brewing capacity and team.”