Brewer’s Cow Ice Cream
NO DEAL
EPISODE SUMMARY
🕓 Air Date: March 23, 2012
Asking For:
$125,000 for 15%
Investor:
No Deal
Deal:
No Deal
PRODUCT SUMMARY
Brewer's Cow produces beer-infused ice cream, blending the flavors of beer with premium cream for a unique dessert experience.
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Background Story
Steve Albert, Larry Blackwell, and Jason Conroy, the founders of Brewer’s Cow, started experimenting with the idea of combining beer and ice cream over a decade ago. Their passion for crafting premium ice cream led them to develop a process that renders beer alcohol-free while retaining its flavor profile. Their inspiration stemmed from their love for beer and ice cream, and they believed there was a market for their unique product.
The Product
Brewer’s Cow Beer Infused Ice Cream is crafted by reverse engineering beer to remove alcohol while preserving its flavors. They then blend it with premium cream and other ingredients typical of craft breweries to create a distinctive ice cream experience.
The product comes in various flavors, limited only by the availability of good beer. It is currently available in select stores, including Whole Foods Market, priced at $4 per pint. Customers can purchase it directly from these stores.
How It Went
The company’s position before Shark Tank
Brewer’s Cow has been in business for a year, initially selling to restaurants and ice cream shops, generating $5,000 in sales. They recently shifted focus to retail, securing a deal with Whole Foods Market. However, their financials raised concerns during the pitch, with confusion over order values and profitability. The founders admitted their lack of expertise in financial matters and sought a partner to help them navigate this aspect of the business.
The Negotiations:
Despite positive feedback on the product’s taste, the sharks expressed doubts about the company’s financial understanding and scalability. Several sharks, including Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec, raised concerns about the company’s ability to achieve profitability and scale given the competitive nature of the ice cream market.
Ultimately, all sharks opted out of investing, citing concerns about the company’s financial acumen and the challenges of scaling the business. The founders remained optimistic, expressing their determination to prove the sharks wrong and succeed despite the setback.
