BrewDog rules out 'industrial beer' takeover at its AGM

Self-styled ‘punk’ craft brewer BrewDog says it has nailed its colours to the mast by amending its articles of association to rule out a takeover by any ‘monolithic purveyor of bland industrial beer.’

'Entrench independence' 

The brewer asked 6,000 of its Equity for Punks investors to vote on the motion at its AGM, which was held this weekend in Aberdeen.

Co-founder James Watt has been a vocal critic of recent takeovers, including AB InBev’s buyout of Camden Town Brewery and Constellation brands billion dollar deal for American craft brewer Ballast Point.

Speaking at the AGM, co-founder Martin Dickie said the brewer wanted to ‘entrench its independence.’

BrewDog has previously described 2015 as a ‘bad year for craft beer’, writing on its blog: “Global beer mega corporations, the ones who destroyed, bastardised and commoditised beer over the last 50 years have been acquiring craft breweries left, right and centre.”

Watt also revealed that the brewer had faced a legal challenge from the estate of music legend Elvis Presley after naming its latest American IPA ‘Elvis Juice’, which was released last month.

BrewDog has outlined plans to boost its brewing capacity at its Ellon brewery to 1.5 million hectolitres after only being able to meet 65% of demand for its beers.