Low-ABV IPA maker Dad Strength is poised to disrupt the beer category, according to recent investor and Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec.
“We just think that Dad Strength is a perfect fit,” Herjavec told National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) president and CEO Craig Purser during a fireside chat Tuesday at the trade organization’s annual convention.
Founders Ryan Kutscher and Craig Carey were seated in the front row with cans of 2.9% ABV IPAs in their hands.
Herjavec joined a three-way, $300,000 investment with fellow Sharks Rashaun Williams and Lori Greiner for a 12% stake in Ryan Kutscher and Craig Carey’s beer brand during the ABC TV series’ season premiere.
“We are so bullish on the space,” Herjavec told Purser. “Literally before Ryan and Craig came on, I was talking to Mark [Cuban] and a couple of the Sharks, ‘We gotta make an investment in this space.’ We think that you guys are all poised for incredible growth.”
Herjavec’s thesis for investing in Dad Strength is finding a disruptive brand within a “massive” beer industry that’s admittedly been challenged in recent years as consumers have become more health conscious, Herjavec said. He added that the belief is the beer industry will return “to high growth,” but the category will be fragmented, with products targeted at all consumers.
“Guys want to look good. They want to live longer,” Herjavec said. “I don’t think you’re going to see beer consumption go down – I think it’s going to spring back up, because at the end of the day, we’re seeing all the social things come back. People are traveling again. People want to get together, barbecues, dinners, restaurants, and I think beer just goes along with that.”
Herjavec’s commentary on consumers’ growing desire to socialize echoed earlier remarks from Purser and VP of analytics and chief economist Lester Jones.
Herjavec also made his own pitch for Dad Strength in a room filled with distributors.
“Obviously Dad Strength is a great product and you guys should all pick up Ryan and Craig’s products,” he said.
“Always be selling,” Purser added.
Following the talk, Brewbound caught up with Kutscher who said Dad Strength is slow-rolling its distribution expansion. The brand is available now in its home territory of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D. C., as well as recently launched Michigan. In 2026, distribution will expand to North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Dad Strength’s distributors include Reyes Beverage Group subsidiaries Premium Distributors of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., as well as Blue Ridge Beverage in Virginia and Great Lakes Wine and Spirits in Michigan, according to the brand’s website.