After expanding its drinks portfolio in America with craft brewery acquisitions from Molson Coors in 2024 and Anheuser‑Busch InBev in 2023, Tilray is now reportedly considering taking on BrewDog, as first reported by The MA.
The Scottish pub operator and brewer, which confirmed earlier this month it was exploring a sale, is understood to be closing all its bars today (Monday 2 March) as talks accelerate.
While some reports have pointed to C&C Group as a potential bidder, industry sources told The MA Tilray is a key player in ongoing discussions.
No formal decisions had been confirmed at the time of publication. The sale is being managed by Alix Partners.
Ongoing discussions
Former BrewDog boss and co-founder James Watt was previously reported to be considering a £10m rescue deal for the Ellon-based business, however, he is now understood to be out of the running.
Tilray describes itself as a “global cannabis and wellness leader”, headquartered in New York City.
It also has operations in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America, with a growing footprint in Germany and Portugal. CEO Irwin Simon has lead the business since 2021.
Last month, the group entered an exclusive licensing agreement with Carlsberg. From early 2027, Tilray will produce and distribute Carlsberg, Carlsberg Elephant, 1664, and 1664 Blanc in the US for a minimum of five years.
Meanwhile, protests were planned last week outside a BrewDog bar in Aberdeen by Unite over the treatment of workers before and during the ongoing sale process.
Further backlash
It comes after BrewDog announced it would be winding down its distilling arm earlier this year to focus on its beer portfolio and RTDs.
Last year, BrewDog, which was established in 2007, also confirmed it would be shutting 10 bars, cutting jobs and selling its Lost Forest amid growing financial losses.
Co-founder Martin Dickie also departed the business in 2025, following James Watt’s exit in 2024.
In December 2025, the business faced further backlash over a campaign promoting its new Punk IPA recipe, which described the brew as tasting ”like commercial suicide” to highlight the fact that BrewDog had absorbed rising production costs.
