BrewDog has announced that it will wind down its distilling business over the coming months, ending production at its Scottish distillery in Ellon, Aberdeenshire. Founded in 2007, BrewDog opened its main brewery in Ellon in 2012 and expanded into distilling in 2015. The move marks a strategic retreat from spirits as the brewer sharpens its focus on its core beer portfolio and selected ready-to-drink offerings.
The distilling subsidiary, BrewDog Distilling Co, will discontinue all of its spirits brands, including LoneWolf Gin, Abstrakt Vodka, Casa Rayos Tequila and Ron Bodega rum. Production of a planned single malt whisky, which had been expected to reach the market in 2026, will also cease. Remaining stock will be run off, and existing supply commitments will be honoured as part of what the company described as a “smooth wind-down”.
BrewDog stressed that the decision will not affect its Wonderland canned cocktail range, which will continue to be produced by a third-party partner. According to the company, narrowing its scope will allow management to concentrate resources on beer and the further development of Wonderland.
The closure follows a period of leadership upheaval and sustained financial pressure at the group. Co-founder James Watt stepped down as CEO in 2024 after years of controversy surrounding BrewDog’s workplace culture and management style, moving into a reduced “captain and co-founder” role (inside.beer, 08.05.2024). This was followed by the exit of the second co-founder, Martin Dickie, who left the company in 2025 for personal reasons (inside.beer, 22.8.2025). Over the same period, BrewDog reported heavy losses and responded with job cuts and multiple bar closures across the UK (inside.beer, 22.7.2025).
The company has not yet confirmed how the distillery shutdown will affect employment. The future use of the distillery site itself will be reviewed at a later date.
