Published: March 4, 2026 at 10:52 pm
BrewDog co-founder James Watt has admitted to making ‘many mistakes’ after the multinational brewery and pub chain was acquired for a knockdown £33m by Tilray Brands – with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
It followed the news that global law firm DLA Piper had been advising Brewdog on entering administration.
Writing on social media, Watt said: “It is really difficult to find the right words and know what to say.
“On Monday, the business I co-founded in 2007 was sold. I am heartbroken for all of the hard working and passionate team members who have lost their jobs.
“I am heartbroken for all of our brilliant equity punks who did not get the return on their investment they wanted.
“And heartbroken to have dedicated the best 20 years of my life to something that ultimately did not have the ending we all wished for.”
Watt, who stepped down as CEO in 2024, added: “With the benefit of hindsight there are also so many other things I would have done differently.
“At times we expanded too fast and diversified too broadly. During certain periods I did not control spend well enough across the business and furthermore I feel that I did not respond to certain crises that we faced (and we faced many) in a way that was authentic and true to who I am.
“Those decisions sit with me. I will always be cheering it on from the sidelines, even if the next chapter is now going to be written by others.”