Podcast: Nvidia chief dismisses tech sell-off, Brewdog founder promises comeback, Hamilton calls for no more billionaires Podcast In today’s episode of City AM’s Business As Usual podcast, we get stuck in the top stories of the day – from a catastrophic start to the week in the Asian markets to the ex-reality TV star making a killing off non-alcoholic spirits. City Editor Simon Hunt gives his round up on the major business [...]
James Watt: I want to buy back Brewdog Retail Brewdog founder James Watt has revealed he wants to buy back the craft beer firm he quit years ago, as he hit out at those who blame him for its collapse. Watt recently launched a comeback designed to win over the “equity punks” who piled millions into his initial venture but saw no returns from [...]
Brewdog founder James Watt launches ‘equity punk’ comeback Retail Brewdog founder James Watt has launched a comeback after the craft beer firm he co-founded collapsed earlier this year. Watt said on Friday he will launch Second Best, a new crowdfunded beer venture, in a bid to win back the “equity punks” who were left empty handed in Brewdog’s sale. The divisive entrepreneur said he [...]
Brewdog: Co-founder James Watt ‘terminated’ as director April 9, 2026 Brewdog co-founder James Watt has been “terminated” as director of the craft beer firm after its sale to a US cannabis giant. Watt established the brewing company with schoolmate Martin Dickie in 2006 but resigned as a company director on 24 March, according to Companies House filings. Brewdog kickstarted the UK’s craft beer craze but [...]
Brewdog US bars snapped up by beer firm’s UK buyer March 16, 2026 The US cannabis firm which bought craft beer giant Brewdog’s UK arm has agreed to buy some of its American bars and brewing facilities. Tilray Brands, a pharma firm which sells cannabis and alcoholic lifestyle products, struck the deal for a string of Brewdog’s US operations after sealing a £33m deal for the beer firm’s [...]
Pub industry ‘screaming for a reset’ amid wave of closures, says Shepherd Neame boss March 5, 2026 The beer and pub industry is “screaming for a reset”, the boss of the UK’s oldest brewer has warned, as companies brace for more venue closures under the strain of sharp tax hikes and minimum wage rises. Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Aquis-listed Shepherd Neame, which traces its roots back to 1698, said the “real [...]
Mark Kleinman: £1bn Leonardo deal betrays Whitehall toxicity March 5, 2026 Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his weekly City AM column How’s this for joined-up government? The chancellor, could not bear to let 3,000 skilled manufacturing jobs at a helicopter factory in Somerset evaporate – or so the story went – because “Rachel cares about keeping the [...]
Brewdog: James Watt ‘heartbroken’ as craft beer firm sold March 4, 2026 Brewdog co-founder James Watt has said he is “heartbroken” after the craft beer titan’s sale cost nearly 500 jobs and left thousands of “punk equity” investors empty-handed. Watt, who co-founded the firm with his school friend Martin Dickie in 2007, said the past week “has been incredibly hard” and described the sale to US cannabis [...]
Brewdog sale: what next for the craft beer giant? March 3, 2026 Brewdog’s bars sat empty on Monday, lights off and beer taps dry, as weeks of frenzied anticipation over the sale of the craft beer titan built to a head. It quickly became clear on Monday afternoon that many of those bars would never see another punter walk through their doors. For the venues lucky enough [...]
Brewdog bought by US cannabis giant in £33m deal March 2, 2026 Craft beer giant Brewdog has been sold to American cannabis and brewing group Tilray Brands for £33m after co-founder James Watt reportedly walked away from a comeback deal. Tilray Brands, a pharma firm which sells cannabis and alcoholic lifestyle products, has agreed a deal to acquire most of the brand’s assets. The announcement of a [...]