Sale of BrewDog 'moving towards conclusion' as discussions continue

The sale of BrewDog is “moving towards a conclusion” with the company hoping to complete a deal over the weekend.

The Aberdeenshire-based craft brewer appointed New York-based restructuring specialists AlixPartners to oversee the sale process.

The news came after the company abandoned its state-of-the-art distillery last month, which opened in 2016, and axed its spirit brands.

In 2024, BrewDog posted losses of £37m in 2024 and announced job cuts across the business, including at its head office and brewery in Ellon.

The self-styled “punk” beer brand was founded by James Watt and Martin Dickie in 2007.

Watt stepped down as chief executive in 2024 after a series of controversies, including allegations of inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power by former employees.

Dickie announced his departure from the company and the alcohol industry for “personal reasons” in April last year.

Months later, the company said it would be closing ten of its bars, including its flagship bar on Aberdeen’s Gallowgate, the first bar opened by the company in 2010, and one in Dundee.

In an email, seen by STV News, CEO James Taylor told employees that there has been a “great deal of interest” but a deal will hopefully be completed over the weekend.

An announcement will be made to employees early next week. However, the German side of the company will not be included in the sale and will therefore be liquidated.

The email read: “As we prepare for the transition to new ownership, we will be taking a small number of temporary operational steps. We will temporarily suspend trading via our e-commerce sites to ensure a smooth transition.

“Our bars will continue to trade as normal on Saturday and Sunday.”

Unite the Union say the latest news has left workers with “more questions than it answers”, with some uncertain on whether they will have jobs on Monday.

National Lead Bryan Simpson said: “It is simply not good enough to announce a sale process and the liquidation of the German arm of the business without clearly setting out what this means for workers’ jobs, pay and conditions. Staff deserve certainty, not carefully worded holding statements.

Mr Simpson believes the employees “deserve certainty” amid the sale process.

He added: “Unite is demanding full transparency from the company, immediate clarity on any potential job losses, and meaningful consultation with recognised trade unions. Our members will not accept being kept in the dark while decisions about their livelihoods are made behind closed doors.”