BrewDog

How ethical is Brewdog?

Brewdog is a brand of alcoholic drinks which has a below-benchmark score on The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Beer, Lager & Cider Ratings Table. Although Brewdog has not yet met our ethical benchmark, we hope to see the brand make progress in the future.

We would have extra confidence in Brewdog if it applied for Ethical Accreditation, whereby The Good Shopping Guide would make further detailed assessment and recommendations for ethical improvement.

Find out more about the ethical issues facing the Ethical Beer, Lager & Cider sector.

What does Brewdog do?

Brewdog is a multinational brewery and pub chain based in Scotland which was founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie. The company produces several types of ales, lagers and spirits.

In which areas does Brewdog perform poorly?

Brewdog was marked down under our criteria for Organic due to a lack of certification. Find out more about how we rate by exploring our ethical criteria.

Past Criticisms of Brewdog’s record

Brewdog has faced recent criticism recently after dropping out of the accredited real living wage scheme, instead freezing pay for existing staff and hiring new employees at the legal minimum wage.

In which areas does Brewdog score well for its ethics?

Brewdog scores well for its Environmental Report as its MEGA Report 5.0 contains clear targets as well as evidence of progress. Brewdog also gets a top rating for our Vegetarian criteria as it is certified by The Vegan Society.

We found no criticisms of Brewdog relating to; GM, Nuclear, Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, Vegetarian, Political Donations or Armaments,  therefore the brand scores well for these criteria. Find out more about how we rate.

How can Brewdog improve its ethical rating?

The below-benchmark score that Brewdog is awarded with on The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Beer, Lager & Cider Ratings Table is the result of an evaluation of multiple ethical criteria.

To reach our minimum ethical benchmark and qualify for Ethical Accreditation, Brewdog has some issues to resolve, including its lack of Organic certification. If it applies for Ethical Accreditation, The Good Shopping Guide will be able to give Brewdog some guidance to improve on these areas.

Were you aware that your brand could benefit from Ethical Accreditation? Brands accredited by The Good Shopping Guide can display our Ethical Mark, showcasing to consumers that it is an ethical and sustainable brand. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact us or complete a Free Initial Assessment form.