BrewDog staff left in limbo as company put up for sale

Staff at BrewDog are in limbo after the company was put up for sale following a “year of decisive action”.

The Aberdeenshire-based brand appointed New York-based restructuring specialists AlixPartners to oversee the process.

The news comes after the company abandoned its state-of-the-art distillery last month 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.

James Watt stepped down as chief executive in 2024 STV News

Now, Unite the Union said it has been inundated with “messages of serious concern” from staff about the sale process.

Bryan Simpson, hospitality lead for Unite, said workers were not informed in advance and received the statement at the same time as the press.

He added: “It looks like one of the most iconic brands in the Scottish hospitality industry is going to be sold off.

“It has set alarm bells off across the workforce for the brewery and those working in the bars because they don’t know what is going on.

“This is the culmination of years of catastrophic mismanagement from the senior leadership team at Brewdog.”

He added: “This announcement deepens the insecurity of the workers.”

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 site on Aberdeen’s Gallowgate, the first bar opened by the company in 2010.

BrewDog say the latest decision to appoint AlixPartners has been made to strengthen “the long-term future” of the brand.

A spokesperson from the company 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.

“BrewDog remains a global pioneer in craft beer: a world-class consumer brand, the No.1 independent brewer in the UK and with a highly engaged global community. 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.”