BrewDog has been put up for sale after the Scottish craft beer group appointed restructuring specialists to review new investments and strategic options.
The Aberdeenshire-founded brewer has appointed AlixPartners to oversee a structured process that could lead to new investors coming on board or parts of the business being sold.
Founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, BrewDog grew from a small brewery based in Ellon to an international brand with branches in the US, Australia and Germany, as well as around 60 bars across the UK. There are currently around 1,400 employees.
In a statement, the company said the decision was the result of a “year of decisive action” in 2025, including cost-cutting and efficiency measures, aimed at strengthening its long-term sustainability in what it said was a challenging economic environment.
A BrewDog spokesperson said the appointment of AlixPartners was a “conscious and disciplined move” aimed at evaluating the next phase of investment. The company added that it is expected to attract strong interest and that its bars and breweries will continue to operate as usual.
An internal email to staff said no decisions had been made and stressed that day-to-day operations would remain unaffected while consultants considered strategic options.
The move comes after a turbulent time for the brewer. BrewDog reported a £37m loss last year and announced job cuts in October. Earlier this year the company confirmed the closure of ten UK bars, including its flagship venue in Aberdeen.
Last month the group stopped producing its gin and vodka brands at its Ellon distillery to focus more on its core beer business.
In recent years, BrewDog has frequently made headlines for both bold marketing campaigns and workplace culture controversies. In 2024, the company came under fire when it announced that it would no longer hire new employees at the real living wage, but would instead opt to pay the statutory minimum wage. Subsequently, co-founder James Watt stepped down as managing director and took on a new role as “captain and co-founder”, while Martin Dickie left the company last year for personal reasons.
AlixPartners declined to comment on the sales process.
The potential sale marks a significant turning point for one of Britain’s best-known craft beer brands, which once positioned itself as a disruptor for global brewing giants and attracted thousands of small investors through its Equity for Punks fundraising program.
