Capixaba brewery startup present throughout the country

MeuChope expands self-service beer business and wins over Brazilians

According to the Beer Yearbook, in the last 20 years there has been a 48.5% increase in the number of breweries in the country. In the 2nd Census of Brazilian Independent Breweries in 2021, 69% of breweries with their own production consider that the most important places where beers can be found are direct-to-consumer sales channels.

With an eye on this market, MeuChope – a capixaba technology startup that produces valves allowing the use of beer taps autonomously – is already present in 10 Brazilian states (in addition to Espírito Santo, the company's birthplace, and the Federal District). These states are: Rio Grande do Sul; Santa Catarina; Paraná; São Paulo; Rio de Janeiro; Minas Gerais; Federal District; Pernambuco; Rio Grande do Norte; and Rondônia.

According to one of the CEOs of MeuChope, Augusto Sato, the self-service proposal has been consolidating as an important channel for breweries to make direct sales. "Our technology allows consumers to have total autonomy in choosing the beer and the amount they want, without facing lines, without the need for waiters, using their own smartphones in the location where they are, and with digital payment made via Pix, Pic Pay, and the MeuChope app," he explains. Additionally, through the app, it is also possible to check where all MeuChope sales points are located in the country. Another differentiator is the 24-hour operation.

According to internal data from the capixaba startup, since its creation, the growth of new user registrations has been over 580%. "Most users are between 26 and 45 years old, but it is interesting to note that users over 55 years old also have no difficulty adapting to self-service technology," Sato explains. "This may reflect the 'new normal' post-pandemic, with the shopping experience through QR Codes and apps," he highlights.

The startup already has nearly 230 points spread across the country. "Customers are receiving the valves, activating them, and undergoing training, and thus, we are democratizing the consumption of craft beer throughout the country, which is the main focus of our work, and encouraging the distribution of beers from each region," Sato points out.