Shuttered Operations for Panther Milk: Innovative Dairy-Free Liqueur Producer from Dragons' Den

In the ever-evolving world of plant-based beverages, one brand that captured the imagination of many was Panther Mlk. Based in Glasgow, Beastly Brews, the company behind Panther Mlk, made a splash in the UK market with its unique oat milk liqueur.

The story of Panther Mlk began in 2020, when founder Paul Crawford, inspired by a cocktail called Leche de Pantera, first sampled in a Barcelona bar in the mid-2010s, launched the brand under his Beastly Brews company. A key recipe change saw the replacement of sweetened condensed milk with oat milk, setting Panther Mlk apart from its competitors.

The brand's flavor offerings were as diverse as they were intriguing, including Crema, Rosa, Café, Menta, and a Dirty Banana hard milkshake. In 2021, Panther M*lk refreshed its packaging to matte black bottles and gave its logo a makeover, further elevating its appeal.

Despite the initial success, the journey of Panther Mlk was not without its challenges. In 2022, Crawford sought investment on Dragons' Den, asking for £50,000 in exchange for 7.5% of his company. The appearance on Dragons' Den gave Panther Mlk national recognition, and the company gradually expanded its operations. However, a potential investment promise from Deborah Meaden, a Dragon and a vegan, ultimately fell through.

Beastly Brews experienced significant cashflow difficulties due to abandoned supermarket deals, leading to the accumulation of unsold stock. This, combined with the liquidation of other plant-based beverage companies such as Beastly Brews, Ready Meal startup Allplants, and Pea milk brand Mighty Drinks, resulted in the liquidation of Beastly Brews in 2022.

The Panther Milk Bar, a permanent weekend fixture for four-and-a-half years before closing in 2020, was another casualty of these financial struggles.

However, these trends present an opportunity for brands like Panther Mlk. Despite a dip in sales of plant-based milk and drinks in the UK in 2024, oat milk remained popular, accounting for half of the segment's sales. Moreover, one in five Brits do not drink at all, while over a third consume low- or no-alcohol drinks occasionally. This shift towards plant-based and low-alcohol options opens up a promising market for innovative brands like Panther Mlk.

As we look back at the rise and fall of Panther Mlk, it serves as a reminder of the potential and challenges in the plant-based industry. The story of Panther Mlk is not just a tale of innovation and success, but also of resilience in the face of adversity.