Brewdog co-founder James Watt launches bid to buy back beer firm
Brewdog co-founder James Watt has launched a bid to buy back the craft beer company following its collapse and subsequent sale to Tilray. Watt claims that if his takeover is successful, he will restore equity to the original 'Equity for Punks' investors who lost their money.
Why it matters
The move highlights the volatility of crowdfunding investment models and the complex aftermath of corporate insolvency in the craft beverage industry.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, James Watt stood down as Brewdog chief executive in 2024
Brewdog co-founder James Watt says he has made an offer to buy back the craft beer business months after it was sold to a US company.
At its peak, Brewdog had four breweries, about 100 pubs worldwide and was said to be worth more than $1bn.
However, it was bought over by beverage and medical cannabis company Tilray earlier this year after collapsing with debts of more than £500m, leading to hundreds of job losses .
Watt - who co‑founded the firm with Martin Dickie in Aberdeenshire almost 20 years ago - said investors in Brewdog's "Equity for Punks" scheme would receive shares "for free" if his takeover bid was successful.
I invested £12,000 in Brewdog - I think I've lost it all
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