Pubs, bars and off-licences are being urged to report anyone trying to sell black market BrewDog beer, after the theft of 16,000 bottles from Essex retailer Ales By Mail. A reward is on offer for information leading to the recovery of the beer and arrest of the thieves.
The stolen beer has a retail value of around £40,000, and includes prototype BrewDog beers which are not on general sale. It was taken from the Ales By Mail warehouse in Billericay in the early hours of Monday December 30.
CCTV camera footage shows a gang of between 10 and 15 thieves, who broke into the warehouse between midnight and 2am and loaded the beer into a van.
The BrewDog brands stolen include prototype beers Interstellar, Hobo Top and Brixton Porter, along with recent launch Moshi Moshi. Ales By Mail distributes the beers on behalf of the Scottish brewer.
Paul Kruzycki, founder and managing director of Ales By Mail, said: “It will be obvious to any business offered these BrewDog beers that they were stolen from us. They are niche craft beers and can only be ordered through the BrewDog website.
“I’d appeal to any business approached to contact us or their local police immediately. As well as the blow to the business, the thieves also took personal items belonging to staff, and have caused a great deal of distress. We’re offering a reward for information which enables us to recover the beer and identify the thieves.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Paul Kruzycki on 01277 523003, or email info@alesbymail.com.
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Issued by John Porter, ShielPorter Communications, 07734 054389