What’s Behind 2,000 Pubs Dropping BrewDog? 

As soon as hailed because the F&B disruptor that put IPA on the map, Scottish brewer BrewDog has been dealing with management turmoil in recent times. And the glass is staying half-empty, following information that just about 2,000 UK pubs have stopped pouring BrewDog beers.

In line with trade knowledge reported by The Telegraph, a lot of giant pub chains have turned the faucets off on BrewDog’s vary of draught ‘punk’ beers, leading to its loss from 1,860 pubs over the previous two years. 

BrewDog is blaming wider financial pressures throughout your entire pub commerce, however analysts level to the fallout from earlier accusations of a “poisonous” tradition on the firm.

For bar homeowners, the information is extra than simply one other model’s unhealthy yr. It raises questions on whether or not huge craft names nonetheless carry the pulling energy they as soon as did. So, what’s behind BrewDog’s decline, and what does it imply for pubs seeking to refresh their drinks lineup?

Almost 2,000 pubs reportedly axe BrewDog beers

It’s arduous to think about a extra influential F&B startup than BrewDog up to now twenty years. Launching in 2007, the model immediately received over a legion of craft beer followers with its daring advertising and marketing and worldwide scale-up.

However BrewDog’s market standing has now gone flat. The Telegraph stories its distributors have declined by over a 3rd since 2023, based on “confidential pub trade knowledge”.

The Telegraph additionally alleges that BrewDog’s well-known ‘Punk IPA’ has gone from over 1,900 retailers, a 52.3pc discount in distribution. BrewDog does have one ace up its sleeve, nonetheless, because it stays a star participant in JD Wetherspoon’s 794 venues throughout the UK. 

The model’s troubles run all the way in which to the boardroom. Founder James Watt stepped down as CEO in 2024 after 17 years on the helm, after allegations of a “poisonous” office tradition.

His successor, James Arrow, resigned in early 2025. James Taylor, the brand new CEO, inherited a rocky ship to say the least when he took over in March.

Management churn is at all times a purple flag. To bar homeowners, it makes it tougher to foretell the model’s reliability as a provider – to not point out its profitability. The brewer reported a £59m loss in 2023, following a £30.5m loss the yr earlier than.

Pub teams slender draught ranges

The retreat from BrewDog additionally displays shifting priorities inside pub teams themselves. Below intense value stress, many operators are narrowing their craft beer ranges and leaning on in-house or lower-cost alternate options that assure stronger revenue margins. 

Lauren Caroll, BrewDog’s chief working officer, mentioned: “Impartial brewers throughout the board have felt the squeeze from the financial pressures hitting the pub commerce. With prices rising and shoppers watching their spend, pub teams have been narrowing their ranges, and brewery-owned pubs are placing extra emphasis on their very own manufacturers.”

In reply, BrewDog is present process a strategic shift. The model closed 10 bars on the finish of July (together with its flagship Aberdeen web site) as a way to pivot in direction of large-scale operations. 

“We noticed the development coming, which is why we’ve shifted focus to high-impact channels like festivals, stadiums, and impartial [pubs]”, mentioned Caroll.

It’s a daring transfer. However a diminished venue portfolio will make the corporate extra reliant on companions like ‘spoons, notably because it finds itself disappearing from drinks menus.

No room on the bar?

There’s a danger right here for operators, after all. BrewDog’s exit may cut back buyer draw — particularly for punters searching for recognisable IPAs. 

However whereas BrewDog’s model well being is recovering, one thing thrilling is brewing within the draught beer aisle. Clients are flocking to various drinks like JUBEL and Beavertown.

Alcohol-free choices are additionally inflicting a stir, with manufacturers like IMPOSSIBREW (a 0.5% beer designed to simulate the enjoyable impact of alcohol) gaining a foothold available in the market. 

This elevated competitors creates alternatives and dangers for pubs and bars. House owners want to ensure they fulfill demand throughout each conventional and various classes, as a way to keep on-trend with out alienating patrons who need a acquainted emblem to finish the day with.

Hospitality companies ought to use buyer insights to maintain monitor of how a product performs and inform gross sales forecasts. This offers you a transparent, data-backed report back to appraise which gadgets belong on the shelf — and that are higher left off the visitor record.