BrewDog’s founders made MBEs

They seem to have friends in high places (up in Scotland, that is). Probably following recommendations from northern power brokers, the two founders of Scottish craft brewer BrewDog have been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

“MBE” stands for “Member of the Order of the British Empire” and is awarded to people in acknowledgement of a significant achievement or outstanding service to the community.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours list was published on 10 June 2016 on the occasion of Her Majesty’s official 90th birthday. In total 1,149 people received an award. Remarkably, in the official send-out James Watt and Martin Dickie got a mention as “strong entrepreneurs”.

Friends James Watt and Martin Dickie set up the sometimes controversial firm in 2007 when they were both only 24 years old. Since then BrewDog has grown from a two-man operation to a globe spanning business with 580 staff, 30 bars in the UK and 15 more abroad. It saw revenue climb 51 percent to GBP 44.7 million (USD 68 million) in 2015, it was reported.

Mr Watt commented: “It’s amazing to have been awarded something so prestigious.” And just in time too, before Scotland has another referendum on independence from the UK, which could mean no more royal honours for Scots.