Dairy-Free Liqueur Producer Panther M*lk from Dragons' Den Ceases Operations

In a recent turn of events, Beastly Brews, a Glasgow-based producer of oat milk liqueur Panther M*lk, has announced its cease of trading. The company's liquidation occurred on July 18, 2025, following the failure of two anticipated supermarket listings with Tesco and Sainsbury's.

Founded by Paul Crawford in 2015, Beastly Brews initially started as a pop-up bar in Glasgow. The company gained national recognition in 2022 when Crawford appeared on BBC's Dragons' Den, seeking £50,000 for 7.5% of his company. Deborah Meaden, a vegan investor on the show, invested in Beastly Brews for 25% of the company, but the investment promise fell through.

Despite the setback, Panther M*lk continued to gain popularity. The product was launched under Beastly Brews in 2020, replacing sweetened condensed milk with oat milk. The lower ABV, plant-based option found a comfortable place within the evolving landscape of the drinks industry, as consumers became more health-conscious and environmentally aware.

Panther M*lk was sold online, on Amazon, and at Asda and the Co-op. The product's flavor offerings included Crema, Rosa, Café, Menta, and a Dirty Banana hard milkshake. The packaging for Panther M*lk was recently refreshed from clear glass bottles to matte black ones, and the logo was given a makeover.

However, Beastly Brews experienced cashflow difficulties due to the abandoned supermarket deals. The collapse of the company comes at a time when the sales of plant-based milk and drinks in the UK dipped by 2% in 2024. Despite this dip, plant-based milk was bought by a third of households in the UK.

Interestingly, younger generations are more likely to consume low- or no-alcohol drinks, with one in five Brits not drinking at all, and over a third consuming low- or no-alcohol drinks occasionally. The readymade meal startup Allplants went bankrupt in 2024, with Plants and Grubby buying off its assets. Similarly, in the summer of 2025, the pea milk brand Mighty Drinks fell into administration and was rescued by Cypriot firm The Mighty Kitchen.

The Panther Milk Bar, which housed the main bar for Panther M*lk, closed in 2020 after the main bar changed hands. The liquidation of Beastly Brews marks a significant event in the plant-based drinks industry, highlighting the challenges faced by companies in this sector.

As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how companies will adapt to the changing market conditions and consumer preferences.