More than 75 former employees of the historically objectionable “craft” beer giant BrewDog have made a number of allegations about a “culture of fear” against the company open letter, published on the Punks With Purpose website yesterday June 9th. The workers’ collective said it was inspired to publish the letter after allegations of sexism and sexual harassment surfaced in the craft beer industry last month in America, via Instagram users @ratmagnet, and in the UK, from @britishbeergirl.

BrewDog, the brewery and pub chain founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie now valued at $ 2 billionHe “was and is based on a personality cult” that former employees left behind to share a “residual feeling of fear”, claim Punks With Purpose. The workplace culture is so toxic, the letter said, „that a significant number of people have admitted that they suffered from mental illness as a result of working at BrewDog.” In addition to those who either signed or initialed the open letter, Punks With Purpose claim that another 45 former employees „felt unsure about giving their names or initials”.

The letter’s co-authors write that they have chosen not to make „specific allegations … because we honestly cannot risk the wrath of BrewDog’s notoriously trigger-happy legal team,” but reserved part of the letter to be direct to contact co-founder Watt address.

James, this next passage is for you.

You are responsible for this rotten culture. Your attitudes and actions are at the heart of how BrewDog is perceived, both inside and out. By appreciating growth, speed, and action, your company has achieved incredible things, but at the expense of those who made your dreams come true.

After your success, people remain burned out, fearful, and unhappy.

The Original tweetposted by Punks With Purpose last night, has been retweeted four and a half thousand times at the time of writing; liked by 13,200 users.

Watt himself went to twitter earlier this morning to defend the company against Punks With Purpose allegations by saying BrewDog’s focus is „not on contradicting or contesting the details of” [the] Letter but listening, learning and acting. ”He later said the company was“ sorry ”.

“We have always tried to do the best for our team,” wrote Watt, adding that “there are thousands of people with positive stories to tell. But the [Punks With Purpose letter] proves that we are wrong on many occasions. ”

Eater contacted BrewDog for further comments on the allegations. The company resents Watt’s open letter.

James Watt / Twitter

BrewDog has always embraced a „punk” ethos, aimed at harnessing social media’s ability to quickly spread information and bring controversy to justice. Marketing stunts – and their subsequent aftermath – have been an integral part of the brand’s growth. In 2019, the company earned recognition for brewing a new limited edition beer without bowing to casual sexism, „beer porn,” or politics of hatred (via infamous, omnishambolic support from former US President Donald Trump) . Also, the world of eating and drinking can never forget Watts and Dickie’s play (and according to yesterday’s open letter Is not it) Name change after a dispute with the estate of rock ‘n’ roll icon Elvis Presley over a beer called Elvis Juice.

Punks With Purpose claim that BrewDog consistently “allowed the ends to justify the means.

„Lies, hypocrisy and deception can be useful tools …”