The Greater Manchester based retailer said the scheme, called “Pints for Punks”, is aimed at supporters who invested in BrewDog through its Equity for Punks crowdfunding programme but are now unlikely to receive a return following the takeover.
Join our new WhatsApp channel: The Morning Round-Up
Get the biggest pub trade stories straight to your phone. Listen to our one-minute daily news briefing and receive breaking news, exclusives and sector updates throughout the day.
Join the channel here.
Discount for ‘punks’
Under the initiative, investors can access a discount on Beerhunter’s range of craft beers by submitting proof of their BrewDog share certificate.
Thousands of drinkers invested in BrewDog through the programme, which positioned fans as part owners of the business. However, the recent £33m sale of the brand to Tilray means there will be no return to equity holders.
Beerhunter founder Ryan Smith said the campaign was designed as a gesture of support to the craft beer community.
“The recent BrewDog sale has undoubtedly left a bad taste for many Equity Punks who believed in the brand from the beginning,” he said.
‘A small thank you’
“While we can’t replace their investment, we wanted to offer something positive back to the community that helped build the modern craft beer movement.
“Craft beer has always been about discovery, independence, and passionate drinkers supporting great breweries. Our Pints for Punks initiative is a small way to say thank you and encourage people to explore the wider world of craft beer.”
Earlier this week BrewDog co-founder James Watt said he was “heartbroken” following the sale of the business he co-founded in 2007.
Writing on LinkedIn, Watt said he was “heartbroken for all of our brilliant equity punks who did not get the return on their investment they wanted”.
Tilray completed its £33m acquisition of the BrewDog brand, intellectual property, UK brewing operations and 11 brewpubs earlier this month. The transaction preserved 733 jobs but resulted in the closure of 38 bars and 484 redundancies.
Beerhunter said the Pints for Punks initiative is also intended to encourage drinkers to explore beers from independent breweries across the UK and Europe.