Scottish craft beer brand BrewDog has put itself up for sale, potentially leading to a break-up of the company, after hiring consultants AlixPartners to oversee the process, according to multiple reports.
The move comes after BrewDog announced last month it was closing its distilling brands, raising concerns about the future of its Ellon, Aberdeenshire facility and the jobs it supports. The company, founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, stated the decision to shutter its distilling operations was made to refocus on its core beer products.
A BrewDog spokesperson said the sale process is a “deliberate and disciplined step” aimed at securing long-term investment and strengthening the brand. “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,” the spokesperson stated. “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.”
The spokesperson emphasized that BrewDog remains a significant player in the craft beer market, describing it as the No. 1 independent brewer in the UK with a strong global presence. “We believe that this combination will attract substantial interest, though no final decisions have been made,” they added. “Our breweries, bars and venues continue to operate as normal. We will not comment on any further speculation.”
The company reported a £37 million loss in October of last year, prompting job cuts across the business. BrewDog currently operates 72 bars globally, alongside four breweries located in Ellon, the US, Australia, and Germany. The firm employs approximately 1,400 people.
Sky News reported that BrewDog’s owners have “called time” on the craft beer pioneer, signaling a significant shift for the company. Bloomberg News confirmed that AlixPartners has been selected to manage the sale process, indicating a serious intent to find new investors or potentially a buyer for all or parts of the business.
