BrewDog calls in advisers to oversee potential sale after ‘worst boss in the world’ James Watt stepped away from leading hipster beer business

BrewDog has called in advisers to oversee a potential sale of the craft beer giant after CEO James Watt stepped down from the helm of its beer business.

The firm has appointed restructuring experts AlixPartners in a move that could lead to the breakup or sale of one of Scotland’s best-known companies.

It appears that BrewDog has started looking for buyers for offers soon.

However, no decision has been made regarding the sales process yet.

The move, which the company said was focused on “strengthening” its “long-term future”, came after the beer giant reported a cumulative pre-tax loss of £148 million during five consecutive years of decline.

CEO Watt, who married Made In Chelsea’s Georgia Toffolo last year, left the senior job in May 2024, taking on the newly created position of ‘captain and co-founder’ instead.

In the same year BrewDog reported a loss of £37 million.

Ten BrewDog bars were closed across the UK in July last year; this includes the first pub in Gallowgate, Aberdeen, not far from Ellon HQ.

The couple’s total fortune is £425 million, according to an August 2025 estimate.

It operates four breweries as well as 72 bars worldwide.

A BrewDog spokesperson said: ‘As with many businesses operating in a challenging economic environment and facing constant macro fluctuations, we regularly review our options with a focus on the long-term strength and sustainability of the company.

‘Following a year of decisive action in 2025 with a focus on costs and operating efficiency, we have appointed AlixPartners to support a structured and competitive process to evaluate the next phase of business investment.

‘This is a deliberate and disciplined step focused on strengthening the long-term future of the BrewDog brand and operations.

‘BrewDog remains a global pioneer in craft beer: a premium consumer brand, the number one independent brewer in the UK and with a highly engaged global community.

‘Although no final decision has been made, we believe this combination will attract significant interest.

‘Our breweries, bars and venues continue to operate as normal. ‘We will not comment on further speculation.’

Last month BrewDog announced it would be shutting down its distilling brands, sparking concerns about business at its site in Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

James Watt steps down as CEO of BrewDog in May 2024

Company may be broken up or sold after hiring of restructuring experts amid financial crisis

Founded in 2007, the company announced that it decided to focus on beer products.

In recent years BrewDog has found itself at the center of a number of controversies, including workplace culture.

Former workers accused the brewery of running a ‘culture of fear’ in 2021 and said there were ‘toxic attitudes’ towards younger employees.

And in 2022 its controversial former chief executive, Mr Watt, was accused of improper conduct and abuse of power.

Former BrewDog US employees told the BBC how his behavior made them feel ‘uncomfortable’ and ‘powerless’.

Mr Watt’s lawyers denied these allegations, but a complaint to Ofcom over the company’s documentary exposing allegations of inappropriate behavior was dismissed by the broadcast watchdog in February 2024.

Months later, in May of the same year, Mr Watt resigned as chief executive after leading the company for 17 years.

He said in a statement: ‘During my time at the helm of BrewDog there have been ups and downs, highs and lows, crazy successes and incredibly tough challenges.

Watt’s lawyers deny all allegations of inappropriate behavior and abuse of power against him

Watt’s stag racked up whiskey bill of nearly £159,000 at Bertie’s Whiskey Bar in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, in December 2024

‘When I look back at the last 17 years, my greatest feeling is gratitude.’

Also in 2024, BrewDog sparked outrage after announcing it would no longer hire new workers at a real living wage, instead paying them below the legal minimum wage.

The Mail previously revealed how in December 2024 Mr Watt led a party of 15 people to the Aberdeenshire village of Braemar for his stag party.

At one point in the night, the group stopped at Bertie’s Whiskey Bar in the ultra-chic Fife Arms Hotel and racked up an eye-watering bill of around £159,000 after ordering ten 1940s-era Laphroaigs – priced at £4,000 each.

A further 15 tonnes of 50-year-old Balvenie were added to the tally, increasing the figure by £67,500.

While it’s unknown who footed the bill, the former BrewDog boss’s financial reach was certainly quite high, with the couple estimated to be worth £425 million along with his reality TV star wife in August 2025.

Mr Watt’s fortune came from the rise of BrewDog, which started life in his garage nearly 20 years ago.

The beer giant rose to fame after a series of promotional campaigns designed by Mr Watt himself.

These include riding a tank in the City of London and projecting her naked image onto the Houses of Parliament.