The chief executive of BrewDog has denied any inappropriate behaviour, after allegations arose in a BBC documentary.
More than 15 ex-BrewDog workers in the US have spoken out about James Watt to the BBC Scotland’s Disclosure programme.
His behaviour made female bartenders feel “uncomfortable ” and “powerless”, but lawyers for Watt have fiercely denied all allegations, which were part of the documentary aired last night.
Katelynn Ising, who worked in DogTap, Brewdog’s flagship bar and brewery in Canal Winchester, Ohio, said female staff would dress down when they knew Watt would be in their bars.
Ising said she witnessed Watt take female customers on late night tours of the US brewery, next to the DogTap.
She told the BBC: “Sometimes there would be one woman, sometimes there would be a gaggle of women.
“They were always intoxicated, they were in their 20s usually, they were very pretty and he would say he’s taking them on a private tour of the brewery.”
Former duty manager Jackie English said Watt’s behaviour made her feel “uncomfortable”.
She told the BBC: “There were three separate nights … [he’d] … come into the building with a girl, a young female, you know, cute little blondes and he would take them into the brewery … to give them a tour or whatever.
“You’re showing your employees that you can do whatever you want because of who you are and who your name is - that’s how it felt a lot of times.”
Another manager, Dylan Gray, said a female bartender discussed her concerns with him.
He told the BBC: “It didn’t make me feel good, to have someone who is your captain to make you feel that way - that shouldn’t be how it is.
“It was disappointing and I’m more or less disappointed in myself that I couldn’t make something happen sooner.”
Brewdog was founded in 2007 by Watt - then just 24 - and friend Martin Dickie. It has its headquarters in Ellon, near Aberdeen.
The company now has more than 100 bars and employs more than 2,000 people worldwide. It is worth around £2bn, with the valuation made ahead of a rumoured stock market listing this year.
BrewDog launched its first operations in the US in 2016 and now has eight bars across Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana.
The BBC Scotland Disclosure team started investigating the company after almost 300 former and current Brewdog employees signed a letter last year accusing Watt of presiding over a toxic culture of fear.
The documentary, The Truth about Brewdog, features interviews with former Brewdog USA staff.
Watt’s lawyer told the BBC the allegations against him were false.
“Watt regularly takes both women and men, friends and customers, on evening tours of the brewery - it is not true to say that those who accompany him are intoxicated,” read a statement.
“The claim that he did, was made by an employee in June 2021, it was fully investigated - the claims were not substantiated - no further action was warranted by Brewdog USA HR.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
