Summer parties may be over, but BrüMate, which makes insulated containers meant to keep adult beverages properly chilled, is probably celebrating today as it announced (registration required) that it has received a $20 million strategic investment from the San Francisco Equity Partners private equity firm.
Denver-based BrüMate creates various lines of multi-purpose, insulated metal koozies. BrüMate’s Hopsulator Trio holds a 12 or 16 oz bottle of beer with a removable, re-useable, freezable ice pack that sits at the bottom of vessel to keep the drink cold. There is also a removable lid that can be snapped on for drinking liquids straight out of the container. The company also makes insulated bottles and cups to hold wine and flasks for holding your spirit of choice.
BrüMate sells direct to consumer, and while the price depends on the make and model you get, the typical cost for a BrüMate seems to be somewhere in the mid-$20s price point. The company says that in 2018, it had 300,000 customers and sold one million units.
BrüMate is also another example of the D2C trend we’re seeing across the food tech landscape. By going direct to consumers, BrüMate is able to own the relationships it has with its customers. And while the company’s website gives off certain Fyre Festival vibes with its party branding, it’s definitely interested in fostering a drink-based community and creating a lifestyle brand around its products.
Whenever we get out of this pandemic, it’s easy to see where the BrüMate could come in handy. Being able to pour your pinot greeezhe into a stainless steel bottle would let you bring your booze to beaches and parks where glass containers aren’t allowed.
As a bonus for all you BrüMates out there, combine that special container with the Chilled Drink Caluculator and you’ve got the perfect mix for frosty beverages. Well, for next summer, at least.
Leave a Reply