The Spirits Business reported that BrewDog, a beer brand based in Scotland, is shutting down its distilling business after a decade. The company has invested millions in its distillation business and rebranded it multiple times.
“After careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to cease production of our distilling brands, with the exception of Wonderland cocktails,” a spokesperson for BrewDog said in a statement. “This will allow us to sharpen our focus, and concentrate our efforts on beer and the continued growth of Wonderland. We’re incredibly proud of what the distillery team that has built and want to thank everyone who has worked on, contributed to, and supported the distilling business over the years.”
The outlet reported that BrewDog’s team is going to wind down operations at the distillery and figure out how to sell the company’s remaining stock.
BrewDog planned a £7 million expansion ($8.8 million) over 18 months in May 2023, according to The Spirits Business. The company was investing in a new still house and in improving its branding. BrewDog shared that the investment would be targeted at expanding the brand’s spirits portfolio. The spirits brand’s flagship items were LoneWolf Gin, Abstrakt Vodka and Duo Rum.
BrewDog additionally brought in Casa Reyos Tequila in 2024, but the agave spirit’s launch was a controversial one. According to The Spirits Business in Feb. 2024, Lind & Lime Gin called out BrewDog for packaging that was “strikingly similar,” according to Lind & Lime founder Ian Stirling.
“I run a company too, I know it’s not easy,” said Stirling. “They are a great Scottish company as well. You don’t want to bash success needlessly and then suddenly you fall under the gaze of that.”
Yet the bottles’ similarity was too uncanny for the founder of the boutique gin company not to comment on it. Stirling continued, saying that the bottle’s design crossed a “line with two middle fingers waving merrily in the air.”
An Exodus for the Scottish Distiller
In October,The Spirits Business reported that the company’s Managing Director of Distilling Steven Kersley announced his departure, which should have been a sign of trouble for the spirits brand.
“It’s been an incredible journey helping to build BrewDog Distilling Co into what it is today,” said Kersley, according to The Spirits Business. “I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together, the brands, the team, and the creativity that’s fueled it all.”
A few months before, Co-Founder and CEO of BrewDog’s Distilling Company, Martin Dickie left the spirits company, citing “personal reasons,” and a desire to spend more time with his family, according to The Spirits Business.
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