James Watt bids to repurchase BrewDog from Tilray

James Watt, the co-founder of BrewDog, has launched a bid to repurchase the collapsed craft beer company from its current owner, the American cannabis and beverage firm Tilray Brands. Watt announced the offer on July 15, 2026, through his newly established venture, Second Best Beer, pledging to restore equity to thousands of former crowdfunding investors and employees at no cost.

The bid comes just months after Tilray acquired BrewDog's UK, U.S., and Australian operations out of administration in March 2026 for a reported 33 million pounds. That rescue deal followed the Scottish brewer's spectacular financial downfall, which left it owing more than 500 million pounds to creditors. The administration process resulted in the closure of 38 BrewDog bars across the UK and led to nearly 500 job losses. Administrators stated the sale preserved 733 remaining positions.

In a social media post, Watt said his offer, backed by 43,000 participants from BrewDog's "Equity for Punks" crowdfunding scheme, aims to return the company to its community roots. He promised that if successful, every registered investor would have their equity stake reinstated for free. Watt also vowed to restore the...