In April 2019, a college-student-run company made national headlines after its Natural Light-drinking founders scored a deal on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” Their invention? A cooler that can fit an entire 24-pack of beer — and keep it chilled without ice.
“Shark Tank” has had a hand (fin?) in several booze-adjacent products, from decommissioned ammunition bottle openers to picnic-friendly portable wine glasses.
Here are six beer, wine, and cocktail gadgets that succeeded after swimming with the Sharks.
Bottle Breacher
Founded by former Navy SEAL Eli Crane and his wife Jen, and staffed by active duty members and veterans, this beer-friendly brand crafts bottle openers out of decommissioned .50 caliber bullets. Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary went in on a deal for $150,000 in exchange for a 20 percent stake in the company in 2014. Sales subsequently reached $15 million. Price: $12.99-$57.99.
BottleKeeper
BottleKeeper CEO Adam Callinan scored a $1 million investment from Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner in 2018. (Apparently, BottleKeeper’s tagline was convincing: “Colder Beer is Better. It’s Science.”) The insulated, thermos-like bottle cover slips over beers to keep them chilly and safe from shattering. BottleKeeper recently launched new spring colors, including seafoam, coral, Caribbean blue, and lime green. Price: $35.
Copa Di Vino
Copa Di Vino famously failed to win the favor of the Sharks — twice — but that didn’t stop it from becoming a successful business. Before appearing on the show in 2011, founder James Martin’s single-serve wine glasses had earned $500,000 in sales. After appearing on the show, sales increased to $5 million. This unprecedented success earned Copa Di Vino a second chance on the show in 2017. Martin still didn’t strike a deal with the Sharks, but Copa Di Vino sold 37 million cups as of 2017. Price: Varies.
Goverre
Southern California corporate dropouts Shannon Zappala and Regan Kelaher launched Goverre, a wine glass with a “drink-through lid” (a.k.a. adult sippy cup) and a silicone sleeve for increased grippability and decreased breakability in 2017. Several months later, they landed a spot on “Shark Tank” and accepted an offer from Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, and Robert Herjavec. Price: $24.
Ice Shaker
Co-founders and brothers Chris, Rob, Gordie, Dan, and Glenn Gronkowski originally marketed Ice Shaker as a protein shaker, vacuum-sealed with a pop-top for optimum workout potential. (Two of the brothers, Chris and Rob, are former NFL players.) All five Sharks made offers. The Gronkowskis negotiated a deal with Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez for $150,000 for a 15 percent stake in the company, valuing Ice Shaker at $1 million.
Ice Shaker’s offerings now include a best-selling tumbler, cocktail cup, and wine cup. The company blog even offers Champagne cocktail recipes for its stemless shaker, like Moët Melon on the Rocks. Fancy. Price: $18.50-$44.99.
Kanga Kase Mate
Brand-loyal tailgaters can keep an entire case of beer cool with the Kanga Kase Mate, an iceless cooler designed to cover and maintain the chill of a 24-pack of beer. The company claims this setup weighs 45 pounds less than a typical cooler-and-ice situation. It’s also, we might add, more stylish and sustainable. Price: $29.95.
