Multinational craft brewer BrewDog is reported to be calling time and appointing advisers to restructure and explore a sale.
First reported by Sky News, the Ellon-based business has appointed restructuring experts AlixPartners to look into options for the sale of the business.
BrewDog, the creator of iconic brands like Punk IPA, was founded by James Watt and Martin Dickie in Fraserburgh in 2007 before expanding internationally with bars across the world and a second brewery in Colombus, Ohio.
Sky reported that sources claimed AlixPartners has already been sounding out potential purchasers over the last few days, with a quickfire deadline for indicative offers is thought to have been set.
However, it is claimed any deal is unlikely to see much return for the company’s 220,000 individual shareholders, who invested on average around £400 into the company as part of its “Equity for Punks” scheme.
The company was renown for its crowd funding initiatives with the first one taking place in 2009, and the most recent in 2021.
Overall, Brewdog raised around £75m from its initiatives, offering perks ranging from discounts to early access to new craft beers.
The company regularly courted controversy under the leadership of Watt, who stepped down from his CEO role in 2024, with marketing campaigns positioning itself as the underdog.
Reports have suggested Watt, who remains one of the company’s largest shareholders, is considering a bid to buy the business back.
Despite high hopes for the business, with recent deals to sign up prestigious stadium contracts, including West Ham and Lords Cricket Ground, the company has failed to turn a corner and last year made a loss of £37m on a turnover of £357m.