Here’s what’s going to happen to BrewDog now it’s ‘up for sale’
Beermaker BrewDog, which makes craft beer such as Punk IPA and Elvis Juice, could be up for sale.
The move comes months after the Scottish-based brewer announced its beers were taken off the taps at almost 2,000 pubs across the UK.
Before that, the brewery also announced the closure of 10 of its bars in July last year, citing ‘ongoing industry challenges’ such as rising costs.
Consultants have since been called in to help look for new investors, which could result in significant changes for BrewDog.
One point of concern was job security for its staff at Ellon in Aberdeenshire after the company announced the closure of its distilling brands.
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BrewDog, which was founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, have appointed consultants AlixPartners to oversee a sale process.
The brewery said it wanted to focus more on its beer products, but maintained that there has been no formal decision to sell the company.
It described the current economic climate as ‘challenging’, which was cited as a factor in considering a sale process.
A spokesperson for BrewDog said: ‘As with many businesses operating in a challenging economic climate and facing sustained macro headwinds, we regularly review our options with a focus on the long-term strength and sustainability of the company.
‘Following a year of decisive action in 2025, which saw a focus on costs and operating efficiencies, we have appointed AlixPartners to support a structured and competitive process to evaluate the next phase of investment for the business.
‘This is a deliberate and disciplined step with a focus on strengthening the long-term future of the BrewDog brand and its operations.’
The spokesperson described the company as a ‘world-class consumer brand’, adding that it is rated the number one independent brewer in the UK.
They said: ‘We believe that this combination will attract substantial interest, though no final decisions have been made.
‘Our breweries, bars, and venues continue to operate as normal. We will not comment on any further speculation.’
BrewDog operates 72 bars globally and owns four breweries.
The company gained popularity in the 2010s as pub goers craved independent beers and IPAs.
The brand gained a reputation for its bold marketing stunts, such as driving a tank through London.
It received an unexpectedly bad reputation after a school teacher was spotted drinking what was thought to be a can of BrewDog Punk IPA on the job.
Watt stepped down as BrewDog’s CEO in May 2024 after 17 years, handing over to chief operating officer James Arrow.
Arrow then stepped down from the role in March this year due to ‘personal reasons’, and James Taylor took over.
Watt is still ‘captain and co-founder’ at BrewDog, according to his LinkedIn profile.
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