A CRAFT brewery plans to tap into the US market with an international expansion plan less than three years after it began trading.

WooHa Brewing Company has won several awards since sales started in April 2015.

Now the Moray firm is to increase exports, with America expected to become its number one overseas market.

Led by founder Heather McDonald, the beer maker specialises in 100 per cent natural, vegan-friendly beers with no animal-derived ingredients.

It has already won fans Stateside, and McDonald says 2018 is the time to capitalise on that demand.

She said: "We have seen an increased demand from the American market for our Scottish beer, so much so that we forecast that next year, 80 per cent of our business will be from exports, with the US the main market."

McDonald and her team have secured £700,000 of funding from HSBC.

The cash will allow the Kinloss company to upgrade its facilities through the purchase of a new 6.2 acre farm in the area, also taking on another four staff.

The changes will allow the brewer to produce five times as much of its award-winning range, which includes porter, IPA, lager and wheat beer varieties.

WooHa already counts major retailers and pub chains like Asda and JD Wetherspoons amongst its stockists.

According to official figures, Scottish food and drink exports grew by £421 million in 2016 to a record £5.5 billion.

Meanwhile, recent research by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young found consumer demand for craft beer has led to a 64 per cent in the number of UK breweries over the past five years.

More than 2,000 such facilities exist, with many selling to overseas markets, such as Ellon-based Brewdog and Edinburgh outfit Innis & Gunn.

Both have their products listed with major retailers and have diversified to open their own bars.

McDonald, a microbiology expert who combined her scientific background and craft beer passion to start the company in 2014, says WooHa also has global ambitions.

She said: "The financial support from HSBC has been vital in helping us realise our ambition to purchase a new manufacturing site to continue our global expansion.

"In addition to the funding, HSBC has been fantastic in helping us overcome exporting difficulties. Being a global bank, they were the ideal partner for us.”

Commenting on the WooHa's plans, Susan Rowand, HSBC head of business banking in Scotland, said: "We’re seeing an increase in demand for Scottish food and drink products abroad and the USA, in particular, offers a huge opportunity.

"It’s encouraging to see an authentic Scottish business achieve its growth ambitions.

"We’re proud to support WooHa Brewing with both funding and expertise which will help the business flourish.”