CraftCellr is waiving fees for craft brewers new to its platform during pandemic (and adds cool functions)

Online craft beverage marketplace CraftCellr has expanded its platform functionality and diversified its partner portfolio in response to surging demand for streamlined to-go services prompted by the closure of taprooms in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. To further support the craft community, CraftCellr is waiving fees for craft beverage producers and retailers new to its platform for the duration of government-mandated closures. 

Initially conceived as a custom-tailored technology for craft brewery membership clubs and limited release pre-sales, CraftCellr has broadened the scope of its services to include simplified retail functionality for craft beverage partners focused on to-go sales.

Thanks to the addition of new features, including a tipping option which has already generated over $22,000 for brewery staff, CraftCellr is an increasingly attractive option for managing online sales traffic as craft beverage businesses pivot to new revenue streams. 

“We felt that CraftCellr was the strongest system available to both market and sell beer while incorporating new services like delivery,” says Mike Pelechaty, founder and head brewer of Masthead Brewing Co. in Cleveland, OH. “We love the platform and the user interface, so it was the best solution for getting beers to people while minimizing risk to our customers and staff. It’s put Masthead in the strongest position we could be in, given the circumstances.” 

With more than 60 brewery partners across 16 states, CraftCellr has already established a robust presence in the craft beer community, but the demands imposed on small businesses by COVID-19 shutdowns necessitated casting a wider net to help distilleries, meaderies, bars and bottle shops develop new paths forward.  

According to Porter Beer Bar co-owner Molly Gunn: “CraftCellr has been a great way for businesses like ours to turn inventory into cash during these difficult times, and the platform was super easy to work with. Setup took maybe ten minutes and we’ve already seen significant sales online, plus it’s driven food sales when customers pick up their beer. It’s great.” 

CraftCellr is also giving back to the craft beverage community by developing unique channels for charitable giving. CraftCellr will be donating all transaction fees generated via sales of “All Together,” a global series of collaboration beers with proceeds benefiting hospitality industry professionals, and will soon announce the release of its own fundraising beer developed in collaboration with Good Word Brewing, Bottleshare, Yakima Hops, and Riverbend Malt House. CraftCellr’s plans for future charitable collaborations are currently in development, and will be announced as they come to fruition.