BrewDog breaks into world’s 25 most valuable beer brands

The operator of 91 venues worldwide​ was the highest new entrant, ranking in 19th position overall, and was valued at US$1.5bn (£1.18bn) by independent brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance in its annual report.

BrewDog was the UK’s sole representative on the list – finishing above Carlsberg, Tecate, Cass, Antarctica, Natural and Aguila in the rankings – and was highlighted by Brand Finance as a beer brand to watch.

The report stated: “Now 11 years old, the brand is undertaking ambitious growth plans across key international markets, with new breweries and bars in the pipeline both at home in the UK and abroad.

“Its flagship beer, Punk IPA, is already the number one craft beer in the UK and the brand is striving to make it the beer of choice internationally.

“The brand is committed to expansion, with gin and vodka​ already in its portfolio, it is widening its reach further by entering into the whiskey market, in a bid to make it more playful.”

Discussing BrewDog’s growth in the report, BrewDog co-founder James Watt explained: “Our global mission is to make other people as passionate about great craft beer as we are.

“Our business is in rapid growth Internationally with 91 bars worldwide, export into 65 countries and, by the end of this year, we will have breweries in Scotland, Ohio, Berlin and Australia.

“This year we are focused on taking the craft beer revolution global while continuing to push boundaries, invest in people, put quality of our beer first and support a growing community of over 110,000 Equity Punk shareholders worldwide.

“In a world dominated by multinational conglomerates, we are proud to take a stand for independence and world-class craft beer.”

Rapid growth of Asian brands

According to Brand Finance’s report, this year saw brands based in Asia – particularly in China – recording the fastest growth.

The five brands that saw the largest brand value change in the past year are all based in Asia – with Hong Kong-based Snow seeing a 51.8% increase in its brand value, with Chinese brand Tsingtao jumping nine places in the rankings after seeing an increase of 48.9%.

Moreover, Asahi – which completed a £250m deal to acquire the Fuller’s brewing arm earlier this year​ – was ranked 12th by Brand Finance.

“As you can see across this year’s ranking, it is the Asian, particularly Chinese, beer brands that are seeing the highest brand value growth,” David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance explained.

“With demand for beer at an all-time high in China and predictions of inflated growth over the coming years as a result of greater disposable income from the emerging middle class, this trend looks set to continue.

“If these brands begin to expand beyond China and into new markets, we could potentially see some very stiff competition to established western beer brands.”

However, despite Asian beer brands being the fastest growing according to this year’s figures, American brewing behemoth AB InBev still dominated the list with 11 of the 25 brands featured – including Budweiser, which overtook Bud Light as the world’s most valuable beer brand.