The shocking 15-minute call that left hundreds of Brewdog employees in despair.
A devastating blow for workers and investors alike.
Unions are outraged by the recent events at Brewdog, a once-thriving craft beer empire. In a swift and brutal move, hundreds of staff were informed of their redundancy during a brief conference call, leaving them reeling and angry.
The independent brewer, based in Aberdeenshire, found itself in administration, leading to a £33 million rescue deal with beverage and cannabis firm Tilray. While this deal saved some parts of the business, it came at a heavy cost for many.
484 staff lost their jobs as a result of the deal, with dozens of bars across the UK closing their doors for good.
Bryan Simpson, a representative from the Unite union, described the situation as "morally repugnant" and highlighted the deep impact on employees. Many staff members were left feeling devastated and worried about speaking out.
"Brewdog's recent actions have been far from glorious," Simpson said. "They abandoned their commitment to the living wage and closed bars last year. And now, this."
The call itself was a mere 15 minutes long, with staff given just 25 minutes' notice. Cameras were turned off, and there was no opportunity for questions or discussion. It was a one-sided announcement that left employees feeling disrespected and devalued.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Staff were also informed that their pay would be processed through the insolvency service, essentially meaning it would be paid for by the public. Simpson believes this is an unfair burden on taxpayers, especially considering the company's past actions.
"This is the worst mass redundancy I've encountered, even during the pandemic," he added.
The announcement was made by Brewdog's CEO, James Taylor, who informed staff of the closures and cuts. Tilray's purchase included the company's UK brewing operations, brand, and 11 pubs, transferring 733 staff to the new owners. However, 38 bars across the UK were not part of the sale and closed immediately, resulting in significant job losses.
The impact on investors is also a cause for concern. Brewdog's administrators confirmed that equity holders, including those who invested in the Equity for Punks scheme, would receive no return from the deal. This scheme, launched in 2009, attracted over 200,000 investors, offering discounts and perks on Brewdog products.
Investors typically spent around £500 on shares, with some investing larger sums. Before it closed to new investors in 2021, Equity for Punks had raised £75 million.
A number of investors have expressed their frustration and anger, feeling let down by the company.
Richard Fisher, an Equity for Punks investor, said he had written off his £12,000 stake and felt there was no hope of recovery.
"It's a knock-down price, and I never expected there to be any money left for us anyway," he said.
Nick Stockley, a lawyer specializing in litigation, agrees that investors are unlikely to see a return on their money. He believes Brewdog's brand value has significantly decreased, and the company may face further closures and job losses.
"Brewdog grew too fast and tried to expand beyond its core products," Stockley said.
The company's founders, James Watt and Martin Dickie, stepped down as CEO and left the company in 2024 and 2025, respectively. This period also saw the company suffer from negative headlines, with staff complaints about workplace culture and allegations of inappropriate behavior.
So, what does the future hold for Brewdog?
With the closure of bars, job losses, and investor disappointment, the company's future is uncertain. Many are questioning whether Brewdog can recover from this blow and regain its former glory.
Have you been affected by the Brewdog closures or invested in the Equity for Punks scheme? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. We want to hear from those directly impacted by these events.
