BrewDog
Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom · Est. 2007
Tally's Take
Why this matters
The most divisive story in modern beer. BrewDog built a global empire on punk branding and the 'Equity for Punks' crowdfunding movement that turned 200,000 drinkers into shareholders — then, after years of controversy, fell into administration in early 2026 and was bought by US cannabis-and-drinks firm Tilray for £33m, wiping out those crowdfunding investors. A cautionary tale about what 'independent' really means once the capital arrives.
The founding thesisJames Watt and Martin Dickie, bored with bland British lager, started brewing hop-forward beers out of a shed with a bank loan and a dog named Bracken.
The Museum
Timeline
- 2007Two guys and a dog
Watt and Dickie launch BrewDog in Fraserburgh, Scotland.
- 2010Equity for Punks
Pioneers mass crowdfunding, eventually raising from ~200,000 small shareholders.
- 2026Administration & Tilray
Enters administration and is acquired by Tilray for £33m — Equity for Punks holders are wiped out.
The People
Behind the beer
Built BrewDog from a shed into a global brand on hops, provocation, and crowdfunding.
The Beer Library
Beers
Punk IPA
Year-RoundIPA
The beer that defined UK craft IPA for a generation.
Dead Pony Club
Year-RoundSession Pale Ale
Low-ABV hop-forward pale.
Travel Guide
Plan a visit
- DogTap taproom
- Brewery tours