The beer firm Brewdog has been sold to US cannabis and beverage company Tilray in a £33m deal.  

The deal includes the company’s UK brewing operations, brand and 11 pubs. Meanwhile the assets in the US and Australia are still being negotiated.  

According to administrators, the sale has preserved 733 jobs. Though, 484 jobs have still been lost, and 38 bars have been closed after they were not included in the deal.  

According to Tilray, the acquisition of Brewdog is part of its larger global beverage strategy in which international markets are the next phase of growth.  

It said: “The addition of Brewdog accelerates our ability to enter new markets by providing scaled brewing capacity outside the US.” 

The company continued that it expected to generate $200m in annual net revenue and between $6 and $8m of adjusted EBITDA in the 2027 fiscal year.  

On the purchase, Irwin D. Simon, chairman and CEO of Tilray Brands, said: “Brewdog is one of the most iconic, mission-driven craft beer brands in the UK. It helped redefine modern craft beer through bold innovation, fearless creativity and an unwavering commitment to great beer.  

“What makes Brewdog truly special has always been its brewers, its brewpubs and its passionate community of beer fans.  

“As we begin a new chapter for this great brand, our priority is to refocus Brewdog on the craft beer excellence that made it beloved in the first place and strategically invest to return the operations to profitable growth.” 

In the UK, the Unite union has spoken out against the way Brewdog employees have been treated during the sale process.  

According to the union, workers at the brewer were informed of the company’s sale on a “hastily arranged conference call”. 

It is further reported that the media were informed of the sale and job cuts before workers, mirroring a similar pattern as last month, when news of a potential sale first broke to media before staff. 

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “This is a devastating day for Brewdog workers. Nearly 500 lost livelihoods while yet another corporate deal is stitched together behind closed doors.   

“Brewdog workers built this brand. They deserved respect. Instead, they were treated as disposable pawns. Unite will not rest until our members have legal and financial justice.”   

Unite said that it will be demanding urgent answers from both Brewdog and Tilray, seeking full transparency about the sale process and redundancies.