Lord Chambray – from courting foreign investment to international collaborations: something special is brewing in Gozo

Few would have ever expected Gozo to serve as the launch pad for a craft beer revolution.

But that’s exactly what Samuele D’Imperio was betting on when he established Lord Chambray in 2014.

Could Malta’s sleepier sister isle really be ground zero for a successful brewing operation? And could it produce beers that could get noticed on the world stage?

Drawing inspiration from Europe’s thriving craft beer scene, Mr D’Imperio dreamed of Malta and Gozo’s first independent craft brewery – not just as a local novelty but as a household brand on the mainland, with global potential outside of Malta’s shores.

11 years later, and the craft beer revolution has indeed landed here.

While some drinkers may have their reservations over the craft beer movement, and even some fans of the artisanal beer trade may feel the island’s still got a way to go – the truth is that there has never been a better time to drink beer in Malta.

In an in-depth feature with MaltaCEOs.mt, Mr D’Imperio walks through the Lord Chambray story, and says that starting a brewery from scratch came with its share of challenges.

The first artisanal hop house on the market

The craft beer market was virtually non-existent in Malta at the time, and creating demand required significant consumer education.

Additionally, the logistics of brewing on a small island posed hurdles – everything from importing ingredients to exporting products had to be meticulously planned.

Building the technical infrastructure for brewing also required a substantial investment, but Samuele’s partnership with leading international master brewers proved instrumental.

Their expertise ensured that every beer from the first range Samuele released would meet the highest quality, establishing the standard by which Lord Chambray beers are now measured.

Fast forward to today and Lord Chambray is churning out a stable of top-drawer craft brews and Samuele and his team have become regular fixtures in the international brewers’ awards circuit.

Lord Chambray is even collaborating with leading breweries from across the world to make special edition beers.

From Denmark’s To Øl, Italy’s Baladin, the UK’s Magic Rock, Seol’s Platinum, and Taiwan’s Taihu Brewing, master brewers from Milan to Mexico are drawn to Samuele’s eye for detail and his obsession with quality. Mr D’Imperio says Lord Chambray is just getting started.

“We’ve expanded our reach across Europe and Asia, established a reputation for quality, and proved that a small brewery on a tiny island can compete with the best in the world. But for us, this is just the beginning. We’re constantly innovating, collaborating, and pushing boundaries to ensure the brand continues to grow and evolve,” he says.

The numbers are impressive

Samuele D’Imperio’s ambitious plans are backed by impressive growth metrics.

Lord Chambray reported 30 per cent year-on-year growth, and a staggering 65 per cent increase in revenues for September 2024 when compared to the same month in 2023.

The introduction of canned beers has not only boosted their environmental credentials but also expanded their presence in retail outlets and high-profile collaborations.

“The craft beer market is growing globally, and we’re perfectly positioned to ride that wave,” Mr D’Imperio says.

“Consumers today are seeking authenticity, quality, and innovation, and that’s exactly what we deliver,” he added – pointing to their strategy to blend the finest imported hops with other raw ingredients, with seasonal hyperlocal products, like strawberries, oranges, lemons, sea salt and rosemary.

Looking ahead, Lord Chambray’s vision includes scaling production capacity, deepening its presence in established markets, and exploring opportunities in untapped regions.

Mr D’Imperio says sustainability is a core pillar of his strategy, investing in energy-efficient processes and packaging solutions to minimise their environmental footprint.

With the global craft beer market expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 10 per cent, the brewery is poised for significant expansion.

“We’re not just making beer; we’re building a brand that represents the best of Gozo and the Mediterranean,” says Mr D’Imperio.

“Our goal is to ensure that every bottle or can of Lord Chambray tells a story of quality, heritage, and innovation.”

And it seems the right people are noticing.

Last year, WhosWho.mt exclusively reported how Tad Smith, an American investor best known as the former CEO of Sotheby’s in New York City, had bought a stake in Lord Chambray.

Is there any other investment in the pipeline? Samuele holds his cards close to his chest.

“Who knows what the future can bring,” he says.