Brewdog upheaval ... - - UPDATE July 15 2026

It's not clear whether US Brewdog assets are yet part of the sale.

For the past few years it has seemed to me that the largest share of Brewdog activity and popularity has been in the US.

That's too bad, I love the Black Heart Stout I had at the pub in Amsterdam Centraal last Spring. I was going to seek it out again the next time I was in the UK.

Sad about the many job loses and hope they land on their feet. This was not unexpected as the craft brewing boom is slowly crashing as there is an over saturation of breweries coupled with real data showing people are drinking less beer. Also, not sure if Brewdog has been respected for a long time. Profits started to drop when they recklessly expanded and dropped further with many credible reports of their CEO being accused of toxic work behavior. Then, they pulled back on offering real living wages for new hires, leading to additional boycotts. So, there you have it. I have no expectations that Tilray will return Brewdog to their glory years. Lessen to learn is that a brewery should concentrate on brewing great beer, treating their employees well, and cross their fingers that they make it. Cheers.

I can't say I'm upset. It all started out as "Independent" and "Green" and marketed itself as being different. It turned out to be just a typical example of ideals that disappeared when the money arrived. The owners were flying around in private jets why trying to sell the green message. Their credibility plummeted when the complaints by their workers emerged. The farce of "Solid gold beer cans" (hidden in normal packs) that turned out to be very thin plating (obviously weight would have given away a real gold can).

Worst of all, they took over £75M from genuine beer lovers who believed that Brewdog was going to be different. All of those who invested in "Equity for punks" will lose everything, because Brewdog later got a bail out from a Hedge fund whose stake apparently takes preference over all other investors".

cleaning spam sent for zappage

I am with TimW on this, I did enjoy my visits to their pubs in a number of cities, since I am a craft beer fan.

But yeah, they slowly lost their mojo. Unfortunately a very common story in the craft beer industry. Start up, offer a different product, become wildly popular, expand. Then eventually an investment group, large brewery, or a new owner with an MBA comes knocking with buckets of cash. I get it, I would probably sell too, but that is usually the beginning of the end. The new owners have to streamline, reduce costs, focus on a narrow line of product, soon what made the brewery in the first place, the culture, the aura, has disappeared. It is hard to be a corporate Punk. The craft beer industry thrives on novelty and innovation, the next new thing. Complicate that with the fact that alcohol is not a "growth" industry, just businesses fighting for a piece of a shrinking pie.

Co-Founder James Watt trying to buy back the Brewdog and says if he gets control back previous investors will get "free stock".

That is a positive sign, maybe he can put some steam back in the organization.

(Apologies, that was too tempting)