Desk Cheers
White-collars across Britain can now look forward to Fred Flintsone-like euphoria on Fridays as Deskbeers expand their delivery service
by ERIK HOFFMANN
Just another Friday at the office. Why go to the pub when you can have brew brought to you?
London’s start-up success Deskbeers is set to conquer new ground as they roll out UK-wide delivery, to quell the thirst of office workers this January.
The five-man team do beer runs on Friday afternoons, delivering fresh brew to workspaces in mostly creative industries.
“Those who order from us are typically design and technology companies, hedge funds – middle of the road industries,” says company CEO Sam Rogers.
And as the craft beer phenomenon accelerates in pace, widening to include enthusiasts from all walks of life, Deskbeers have seen their customer base extend to sign-ups from national banks and even law firms.
“The idea is that a company can give something nice to its employees after work because craft beer does represent something a bit more special than your regular lager,” says Mr Rogers.
Deskbeers’ hashtag is really taking off on Twitter. @dan_sweeney wrote: “I’m all over this https://www.deskbeers.com/ What a great idea! #deskbeers”.
Another wrote: “It’s officially after noon, so #deskbeers are acceptable…right?”
Taking minimum orders of 12 bottles, crates are mixed up from week to week to keep things interesting and they usually contain two or three varieties of beer from different breweries.
Most of the over 30 breweries they deliver from are based in London, including Beavertown, Meantime and Five Star.
Mr Rogers says their typical order is between 1,500 to 1,700 beers a week and that it’s important to have good relationships with the breweries to fit the orders into their schedule.
“Our beer is delivered fresh and we operate with a sensitive eye to the breweries,” he says. “So when we call them up and say ‘Hey guys, can we have quite a decent volume of beer’, they can plan well with us in mind.”
To make the expansion happen Deskbeers launched a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube, offering investors a 17 per cent return on a prospected 200 per cent year-on-year growth.
With only one day to go their crowdfunding venture has sparked interest from over 180 investors and raised £124,150, well above the £80,000 target they had set.