Scottish craft beer giant BrewDog has announced it will shutter its state-of-the-art distillery in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, and discontinue all of its spirits brands, marking a major strategic retreat from the spirits market. The move brings an end to a decade-long push into gin, vodka, rum and tequila that once formed a core part of BrewDog’s “Planet Dog” drinks ecosystem.
What’s being axed
The company will wind down production at the Aberdeenshire distillery and stop making flagship spirits lines including Lonewolf Gin, Abstrakt Vodka, Duo Rum, Casa Rayos Tequila and Ron Bodega rum, with remaining stock expected to be sold off over the coming months while existing supply arrangements are honoured. The distillation and blending arm, previously branded as BrewDog Distilling Co., will cease operations, although Wonderland canned cocktail drinks will continue to be produced under external contract, separate from the Ellon site.
A spokesperson for BrewDog said: “After careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to cease production of our distilling brands, with the exception of Wonderland cocktails.
“This will allow us to sharpen our focus and concentrate our efforts on our beer and the continued growth of Wonderland. We’re incredibly proud of what the distillery team has built and want to thank everyone who has worked on, contributed to, and supported the distilling business over the years.”
The Ellon distillery opened in 2016 and was billed as a premium, hi-tech facility capable of supporting BrewDog’s range of spirits, cocktails and limited-edition releases, including tie-ins with Aberdeen FC’s lone wolf-themed gin and vodka ranges. Several cask-lay programmes, including early-stage whisky projects, were trailed over recent years but are now in doubt following the shutdown decision.
The distillery’s closure follows heavy financial losses in 2024, as well as earlier announcements of bar closures and staff reductions across the wider group. BrewDog also recently confirmed it would close a number of its own pubs and bars, including its original flagship bar on Gallowgate in Aberdeen, citing ongoing commercial pressure in the hospitality sector.
Corporate shifts and leadership changes
The distilling retreat comes amid significant upheaval in the top ranks at BrewDog and its distilling arm. Co-founder Martin Dickie, who had been closely associated with BrewDog Distilling, stepped down in 2025, and the division’s managing director, Steven Kersley, also left the business after helping build the spirits portfolio from scratch.
Current senior leadership has overseen a wider refocus on beer and the Wonderland ready-to-drink line, while the parent firm undergoes broader strategic review and cost-cutting. The decision to pull back from distilling is being framed internally as a way to streamline operations and channel investment towards core beer brands and growth areas in canned cocktails.
Jobs, site and industry reaction
BrewDog has not disclosed how many distillery jobs are at risk or confirmed the long-term fate of the Ellon facility, which sits on land central to the company’s roots in north-east Scotland. The decision is likely to be closely watched by suppliers, contract bottlers and regional partners who had invested in relationships around the Lonewolf and Abstrakt brands, including beverage-linked commercial deals such as the Aberdeen FC spirits partnership.
Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross said: “The announcement of the closure of BrewDog’s distilling business is deeply concerning. The staff at BrewDog whose jobs are now risk will understandably be very worried by this.
“This decision highlights the growing issues facing the drinks industry and hospitality sector, with challenging market conditions causing financial difficulties.
“Residents in and around Ellon rely on employment from BrewDog, and an important local business making cutbacks like this is very unsettling for the area.
You Might Also Like:
“I will now be writing to BrewDog asking what implications this closure will have on jobs, and if this decision will affect any other parts of its business.”
Industry observers say the move underlines the pressures facing diversified drinks businesses as they juggle rising costs, changing consumer habits and intense competition from both multinational giants and agile independents. For BrewDog, the coming months will be critical in demonstrating that a tighter focus on beer and Wonderland cocktails can offset the reputational and operational shock of walking away from its once-celebrated distilling venture.
