Independent craft brewer BrewDog has announced plans to build the “world’s first craft beer hotel” as part of “an immersive craft beer hotel and brewery expansion” at the company’s headquarters in Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

The DogHouse, as the hotel will be called, is scheduled to welcome guests in the first half of 2019.

The 26-room DogHouse hotel will feature beer taps in the rooms, a built-in shower beer fridge, and rooms will overlook the brewery itself.

BrewDog said it introduced the DogHouse concept last year with the announcement of a hotel in Columbus, Ohio at the site of its American brewery, and a recent property acquisition in Ellon has led to this further announcement.

In addition to the new hotel, BrewDog is expanding its Ellon brewery to include a 300 hl brewhouse and a canning & packaging hall.

“The funding for the hotel and brewery expansion has come from BrewDog’s record-breaking Equity for Punks crowdfunding initiative, which has seen the Scottish brewery raise over £53 million since 2009 from more than 73,000 passionate craft beer fans,” said BrewDog.

Priority booking for The DogHouse will be given to “Equity Punk” investors.

In October last year, BrewDog launched its fifth round of Equity for Punks, looking to raise at least £10 million, with a “stretch goal” of up to £50 million in order to further its global expansion.

This includes planned construction of new breweries in Australia and China, the opening of 15 new craft beer venues in the UK, increasing production capacity in its UK brewery, and the creation of a dedicated craft beer TV network.

Equity for Punks V has so far raised more than £12.5 million from more than 27,000 investors across Europe, and hit its initial £10 million target ahead of its initial deadline in January.

BrewDog cofounder James Watt said: “The DogHouse is our gift to passionate craft beer fans making the pilgrimage to our brewery in Aberdeenshire.

“The idea of opening a beer hotel has always been high on our agenda, and now we are finally able to realise that dream, right here at our HQ.

“This will be the ultimate destination for craft beer fans seeking hops with their holidays. This is a beer Nirvana.”