BrewDog is to expand its China estate after forming a joint venture with Budweiser China, the largest international brewer in the Chinese market.
The Financial Times reports the Scottish craft beer group has said it is looking to tap into a new but growing craft beer market. It will also begin brewing Punk IPA and other beers in China as part of plans to expand in the country.
Under the deal, BrewDog will open nine bars in China and begin producing its Punk IPA, Hazy Jane, and Elvis Juice beers at Bud China’s newly opened craft brewery in Fujian province.
Under its previous partnership with distributor Top Shelf in China, BrewDog opened a bar in Shanghai in 2020.
CEO James Watt further said the company is moving its focus away from the UK owing to the impact of inflation on brewing and hospitality venues.
The news comes soon after Watt announced plans to open 100 bars in India over the next decade, similarly looking to tap into a nascent but growing craft beer market. In 2021, it partnered with Asahi, in a deal which saw BrewDog sales double in the country.
BrewDog has also opened its largest venue to date in London’s Waterloo but announced the closure of six sites in August – including three in London – due to escalating cost pressures meaning they are no longer viable to operate.
