(Courtesy BrewDog)

Like many craft brewers around the world, global beer giant BrewDog is facing a more challenging economic landscape and making painful choices to survive.

Here’s the deal…

In a move that’s rattling UK craft beer fans, BrewDog, which was founded as a garage operation by James Watt and Martin Dickie in in 2006, has begun closing a handful of its UK bars — including its very first bar in Aberdeen — as the now global brewer reshapes its hospitality footprint amid what it calls “extremely challenging” industry conditions.

Ten locations are on the chopping block, including some of the brand’s most iconic sites like Camden in London and Gallowgate in Aberdeen. BrewDog says the closures, which take effect as of late July 2025, come after a strategic review of underperforming venues. The company cites rising operational costs, labor challenges, and shifting consumer habits as reasons for the move.

But this isn’t just a local issue.

A Global Beer Reality Check

While BrewDog’s bar closures are currently limited to the UK, they reflect a global reckoning in the post-pandemic beer scene. Around the world, brewers and bar operators are grappling with inflated costs, slowing foot traffic, and changing drinking habits — especially among younger consumers.

BrewDog has already trimmed its international bar portfolio earlier this year, shuttering venues in China, Italy, and the Netherlands. Even its highly touted Las Vegas taproom, which opened with much fanfare in 2022, is reportedly under internal review.

“Bar culture isn’t dead, but it’s evolving,” said one analyst. “Smaller venues, community-focused taprooms, and hybrid retail models are now doing the heavy lifting.”

Staff Hit Hard

The closures are expected to affect about 100 employees, and while BrewDog says it’s working to redeploy as many staff as possible, union groups have pushed back. Unite Hospitality claims that some workers were given just three days’ notice, a move the union called “shameful and legally questionable.”

BrewDog’s leadership, under newly appointed CEO James Taylor, told The Sun, that the company is pivoting toward more viable long-term formats like “destination hubs” and flagship venues that continue to show growth — including BrewDog’s Waterloo station superbar in London and remaining bars in international markets.

What’s Next?

This wave of closures might not be the last. As the global hospitality sector struggles to find its footing post-COVID, even well-known players like BrewDog are being forced to rethink their physical presence.

Still, the company insists it’s not pulling back entirely. In fact, BrewDog says it plans to double down on international expansion in markets where the economics make more sense — especially the US, Australia, and parts of Asia.

Whether this marks a temporary retreat or a permanent downsizing remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the bar for survival in the beer business has never been higher.

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