BrewDog to Cease Production of Spirits Brands at Aberdeenshire Distillery

Scottish craft beer giant BrewDog has announced a strategic decision to halt the production of its proprietary distilling brands. The move will see the company cease manufacturing its Lonewolf Gin and Abstrakt Vodka lines at its distillery in Aberdeenshire over the coming months.

The decision is described by the company as "difficult" but necessary to "sharpen our focus" on its core brewing and hospitality operations.

Operational Impact and Brand Rationalisation

While the distilling of raw spirits will stop, BrewDog has confirmed it will continue to sell its Wonderland line of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, suggesting a pivot towards the higher-velocity convenience category rather than premium spirits manufacturing.

The future of the distillery facility itself—built in Ellon in 2015, three years after the main brewery opened—is understood to be under review. The company has not yet clarified the specific impact this operational winding down will have on headcount at the site.

Financial and Corporate Context

The restructuring of the spirits division follows a turbulent financial period for the independent brewer. In October of last year, BrewDog announced job cuts across the business after posting a £37 million loss.

This cost-rationalisation strategy also saw the closure of 10 bars across the UK earlier in the year, including the brand's flagship site in Aberdeen.

Leadership and Reputational Challenges

The operational shifts coincide with significant leadership changes and public scrutiny. Co-founder James Watt recently stepped down as CEO to take on the newly created role of "Captain and Co-founder," while fellow co-founder Martin Dickie exited the business last year for personal reasons.

Furthermore, the brand faced significant backlash in 2024 regarding its employment policies, specifically the decision to cease hiring new staff on the real living wage in favour of the lower legal minimum wage.