BrewDog taps hit by pub closures

BrewDog's beers have disappeared from about 1,860 pubs across Britain, signaling renewed pressure on the Aberdeenshire brewer.

BrewDog loses taps in almost 2,000 UK pubs

Confidential pub data shows BrewDog’s draught range was removed from around 1,860 pubs in Britain over the past two years, trimming UK distribution by more than a third. Punk IPA, the brand’s flagship beer, was dropped from roughly 1,980 pubs in the same period, a 52% decline in distribution as drinkers turn toward rivals. The pullback follows the closure of 10 branded BrewDog bars nationwide, including the Aberdeen Gallowgate venue opened in 2010. The company has reported losses of £59m in 2023 and £30.5m in 2022 and has warned it will remain in the red this year. An industry insider described the withdrawal as unprecedented, saying BrewDog is “losing taps in the pub trade like you wouldn’t believe,” with venues favouring rivals Camden Town and Beavertown. BrewDog says it is shifting focus to high-impact channels such as festivals, stadiums, and independent pubs while reducing exposure to traditional pub chains.

The numbers expose a fragile business model that relied on a broad, if uneven, network of pubs. When chains drop a beer, it hurts more than sales; it dents brand visibility and long‑term relationships. The shift away from traditional pubs toward festivals and other venues could broaden BrewDog’s audience, but it also risks eroding the steady cash flow those pubs once provided. The leadership faces a dual challenge: rebuild distribution while managing a high-profile reputational reset after workplace culture accusations. The next chapter will test whether the company can stabilize revenue without surrendering its craft edge to mass channels.

Highlights

The coming months will reveal whether BrewDog’s pivot can steady the brand without its traditional tap network.