BrewDog signs partnership to ‘fast track’ China business

Pub and brewing group BrewDog has signed a partnership agreement with Budweiser China to “fast track” its business in China.

The company has been operating in the market since 2015 and opened a bar in Shanghai in 2020, “but to say we’ve barely scratched the surface of this dynamic and fast-growing market would be a massive understatement,” chief executive James Watt said on LinkedIn.

“China is one of those markets where you really need to work with an established partner who has a sales and distribution infrastructure in place and local market knowledge.”

The partnership will see BrewDog’s beers brewed in the country, with plans to open up to 10 more bars in China over the next five years.

Watt added: “By making beer closer to our customers – as we do in the US, Germany and Australia - we can give craft beer lovers a much fresher product and do it in a way which is better for the planet.

“We’ve always wanted to go for growth in China - now we can do it from a position of strength, while remaining fiercely independent.”