BrewDog
Scotland's most internationally famous brewery, and its most controversial. BrewDog put Scottish craft beer on the global map with Punk IPA in 2007. Since then they've grown into a multinational with hundreds of bars worldwide and significant outside investment. The beer is still good — Punk IPA, Hazy Jane, Lost Lager are all reliable craft staples — but the company has had repeated workplace controversies and has lost much of its early underdog identity. They are no longer indie in any meaningful sense.
Core beers
Punk IPA
RecommendedCitrus, tropical fruit, gentle bitterness. The beer that made BrewDog famous. Reliable, widely available, no surprises.
Pairs with: Curries, BBQ, pizza
Hazy Jane
Tropical fruit, soft mouthfeel, low bitterness. A reliable mass-market hazy. Less complex than Pilot or Overtone but cheaper and everywhere.
Pairs with: Tacos, BBQ chicken, spicy food
Lost Lager
Crisp, biscuit malt, light hop character. Their craft lager attempt — clean and competent.
Pairs with: Pizza, fish and chips, anything fried
BrewDog is impossible to assess as just a brewery now — the company is a global brand with hundreds of bars and a complicated reputation. The beer remains broadly good: Punk IPA is widely available, reliable, and a textbook session IPA. Hazy Jane is a solid hazy. Lost Lager is a fine craft lager. But the workplace culture issues that surfaced in 2021 (and recur) make some drinkers actively avoid them, and the loss of independent status removes one of their original selling points. Buy if you want a reliable supermarket craft beer; look elsewhere if you value brewery values alongside the liquid.
Where to buy
Mixed cases from £24. Subscriptions available. Frequent discount codes.
UK-wide · £4.95. Free over £40.
Find their beer near you
Punk and Hazy Jane in nearly every store.
Full core range.
Core range plus occasional specials.
Ubiquitous. Punk IPA, Hazy Jane, and Lost Lager are in nearly every UK supermarket. Frequently discounted.
Tap room: BrewDog DogTap (Ellon)
Large tap room and visitor centre at the Ellon brewery. Tours, food, full BrewDog range plus exclusives. Busy and corporate but well-run.
Walk-ins for the bar; tours must be booked.
What's on tap →Brewery tours
| Tour | Duration | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrewDog Brewery Tour | 90 min | £18 | Tour + 4 tasters + a pint |
| BrewDog VIP Experience | 180 min | £50 | In-depth tour + lunch + tasting + take-home bottle |
Saturdays and Sundays. Polished and professional, less personal than Fyne or Tempest.
Book tourGetting there
Bus 66 from Aberdeen to Ellon. Then 15-minute walk.
Designated driver essential — the tap room pours generously.
Parking: Free at the brewery.
Find BrewDog on tap
BrewDog has its own bars in every major Scottish city.
Often discounted.
Awards
Beer & food pairings
BrewDog beers are everyday-craft — they pair with everyday food. Don't expect the depth or food-pairing nuance of smaller indies.
Compare BrewDog with
Frequently asked questions
Is BrewDog still independent?
No, not in any meaningful sense. BrewDog plc has significant outside investment (TSG Consumer Partners, others) and is a global brand. They are no longer "indie" in the way the word is used about smaller Scottish breweries.
Is BrewDog beer good?
The core range — Punk IPA, Hazy Jane, Lost Lager — is reliably good. Quality is consistent and beer is widely available. Less exciting than smaller modern Scottish breweries but more available and cheaper.
Why is BrewDog controversial?
Repeated workplace culture controversies (notably the 2021 Punks With Purpose open letter) and aggressive marketing tactics have caused many craft beer drinkers to avoid them on values grounds. The beer remains broadly good; the company is the issue.
Where is BrewDog brewed?
Most UK BrewDog beer is brewed in Ellon, Aberdeenshire. Lost Lager is brewed at their Berlin facility. They have additional breweries in the US and Australia.
Can you visit the BrewDog brewery?
Yes — DogTap Ellon is open Tue–Sun. Tours run Saturdays and Sundays from £18. It's professional and well-organised, less intimate than smaller indie breweries.
Is BrewDog cheap?
Yes — supermarket pricing is competitive, and BrewDog frequently runs discount codes on their online shop. Often the cheapest "craft" option in a Scottish supermarket.
Other Scottish breweries
Fyne Ales
Glen Fyne, Argyll
Jarl (session blonde, 3.8%)
Pilot Beer
Leith, Edinburgh
Leith Juice (NEIPA, 6.2%)
Vault City Brewing
Edinburgh
Session Sour (4.5%, varying fruit)
Fierce Beer
Aberdeen
Fierce IPA (6.5%)
Stewart Brewing
Loanhead, Midlothian
Radical Road (Pale Ale, 6.4%)
Harviestoun Brewery
Alva, Clackmannanshire
Bitter & Twisted (Blonde Ale, 4.2%)
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