BrewDog Spirits shut up shop

The drinks industry has seen a major shift this week as BrewDog announced it will close its Aberdeenshire distillery and discontinue all of its spirits brands, including Lonewolf Gin, Abstrakt Vodka, Duo Rum, Casa Rayos Tequila and Ron Bodega.

This marks a significant strategic retreat from a decade-long expansion into the spirits category, and spotlights the challenges facing multi-category drinks businesses today.

The move follows broader pressures on the company over the past 18 months, from bar closures and workforce reductions to distribution declines and financial losses.

The decision is being framed as a refocus on core strengths, especially beer and the Wonderland ready-to-drink portfolio, but it also raises important questions about diversification, operational focus, and resilience in tough market conditions.

We’ll be watching closely as this story unfolds and what lessons it offers for brands navigating change.