BrewDog craft beer expands to China via Budweiser deal

BrewDog brewing company based in the United Kingdom is bringing its products to China through a joint venture with Budweiser China. The company is making this move to be able to sell more craft beers in the biggest market in the world.

BrewDog is expanding its business in the Chinese region after signing a deal with the Chinese unit of Budweiser. Their JV will see the brand’s Punk IPA and other special craft beers in retail outlets in China.

As per BBC News, aside from releasing its products, BrewDog is also planning to open more bars in the country. The plans were revealed after the company faced various controversies in recent years.

The company’s founder, James Watt, said that their cooperation with Budweiser is a transformational phase for them. After launching in China, he said they will market their craft beers in all corners of the region.

BrewDog further said that based on the agreement with Budweiser China, it expects its beers to be produced at the latter’s craft brewery facility in Putian which is located in the south-eastern province of Fujian. It is hoped that the production can start by the end of March this year.

“Today, we are excited to share the news of the next partnership - one that will bring our beers to every corner of the world’s biggest beer market. China,” BrewDog said in a press release that was published this week. “We have been in the market since 2015 and we opened our 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.”

The company went on to say, “We are also looking to open up to ten BrewDog bars in China over the next five years to help showcase everything we love about craft beer to new audiences. We have always wanted to go for growth in China - now we can do it from a position of strength while remaining fiercely independent.”