I live not far from Fraserburgh where some years ago, two enterprising lads decided to start a craft brewery. They started up in small buildings near the harbour and soon built a reputation for unique beers and imaginative marketing.
Soon the Fraserburgh brewery was too small, so they moved 20 miles away to large, flashy new premises in Ellon.
I didn't care too much for their beer which I thought was becoming too mainstream and the company was growing too quickly with branches in many countries.
Sure enough, Brewdog has just been sold with the closure of many of its pubs and loss of jobs.It's not the first brewer to go to the wall, but its rise and fall were pretty dramatic. It reminds me of the myth about Icarus who
flew too close to the sun, and crashed spectacularly into the sea.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
It’s a real pity for local employees & the investors. According to a BBC article, the founders will go forward to their next venture as wealthy men. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4ggqgyk51o?app-referrer=search
Innis & Gunn went recently too, albeit bought by the owner of Tennent’s.
A sign of the times, people are drinking less booze it seems.
I used to live in Horndean, Hants and it boasted one of the best family owned breweries - George Gale & co. It had been in the same family for many generations, and then they sold out to Fullers.
I'm now living in Aberdeenshire and I would be pretty desperate to drink Tennants. However, there are some good ales from craft breweries here and on Orkney. I'm very happy to have a glass of 'Old Jock' or 'Hopo IPA'.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Arran Blonde is a favourite. Good beer from the Loch Fyne brewery, and we always dip into Sullwath brewery in Castle Douglas. Oh, and Traquair Ale, brewed at the castle: as strong as wine.
Thankfully, there seem to be a large number of craft breweries in UK to seek out, that make too little beer to have big supermarket contracts.
Never a fan of Brewdog, thought they were OK, so no big loss to me personally.
More a cider and perry drinker nowadays than beers.
My drinking habit has changed in that I hardly go out to drink socially on a weekly basis like I used to for a number of reasons.
I am not renewing my CAMRA membership this year.
No shortage of booze at home and in the van as I seldom drink on my own except for a glass of something when I have a nice meal such as a steak dinner at weekends.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
It got me thinking about beer brands that have vanished. The first bitter that I drank was by Ind Coope. I think it was formally Ind Coope & Allsop.
I'm still partial to a pint of 'Bishop's finger' from Shepherd Meame - Britains oldest brewery. The name comes from the signposts showing pilgrims the road to Canterbury.
DK168, If you like cider, then I'd recommend Biddenden special reserve. 13% ABV.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Quote:
DK168, If you like cider, then I'd recommend Biddenden special reserve. 13% ABV.
Not sure if I can handle a 75cl bottle in one go at that ABV!
One of my favourite is Sandford's The General at 8.4%.
I go camping at Yew Tree Inn's campsite next to their pub in Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye, as I like their ciders and perries, and am attending at least 2 cider/perry related events this year in July and August.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
My dad taught me to drink when I was 11, started me off on Bud and whatever I fancied from the drinks cabinet, as he believed it is an important social skill.
My first beer as in real ale would have been one of the Adnams, as I went to school just a mile from Southwold.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
I have to confess that I've never tried Brewdog beer.
My last illegal pint and first legal pint was Adams in the Ship inn Dunwich, we free camped on the cliff top.
Anyone remember the badges CAMRA produced poking fun at the Double Diamonds adverts In the early 1970s DD=K9P.
There was a small local brewery local to me, really popular, had had a brand for a few years. Brewdog sprang up, bullied them legally to take a beer name off them, threatened them with massive legal bills to fight it. All from a brand that entered the market trying to look cool, for the people etc.
Nasty.
I won’t drunk anything from their next venture, either.
But I always found Brewdog brews too harsh and fizzy.
Meanwhile the little brewery they bullied out of their name have dine very nicely indeed and still make much better beer.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Bye bye Brewdog
via mobile 07/3/2026 at 6:21pm
