Shivangi Sinha
As much as people enjoy a night out with drinks, the next morning often tells a different story, especially as age catches up. Hangovers hit harder, recovery feels slower, and what once was a fun indulgence can turn into a dreaded next-day ordeal. The headaches, fatigue, and sluggishness are enough to make many think twice before pouring another glass. But on the premiere episode of season 17 of ABC’s ‘Shark Tank,’ Dad Strength Brewing stepped in with a solution. Their craft beer offers the same great experience without the dreaded aftermath and proves that enjoying a drink doesn’t have to come with regret.
Dad Strength Brewing: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Dad Strength Brewing was born out of a very relatable problem of loving craft beer but no longer loving the experience of it the next day. Co-founders Craig Carey and Ryan Kutscher had been friends for over 20 years. They began experimenting in their early 40s with a unique ritual of mixing non-alcoholic beer with regular beer in the same glass to create their own low-ABV brews. It became their signature solution to what they jokingly called a “classic dad problem” — wanting the flavor and ritual of craft beer without the heavy ABV that leaves one sluggish the next morning. After failing to find a commercially available craft beer under 3% ABV that still delivered on taste, they partnered with award-winning brewers at Atlas Brew Works.
Craig Carey brought two decades of food, hospitality, and entrepreneurship experience to the venture. He established Big Buns Damn Good Burgers in 2007, growing it into an award-winning fast-casual chain before its acquisition by Thompson Hospitality in 2018. At Thompson, he served as VP of Marketing and later SVP of Technology Strategy until 2025, helping scale several restaurant brands. He also co-founded Cater Hero, a digital platform connecting offices with ghost kitchens, and worked at Main Street Genome, a data-driven startup later acquired by Dining Alliance. Carey holds an MBA from William & Mary and a BA in Marketing from the same institution, where he was a Division I distance runner.
Ryan Kutscher, meanwhile, is a celebrated creative mind in advertising. As founder of Circus Maximus, a marketing collective launched in 2013, he built culturally resonant campaigns for Burger King, Coca-Cola, VW, Smirnoff, and more. His Whopper Freakout campaign became a Wall Street Journal-praised success, winning the Grand Effie and helping raise Burger King’s stock price. A three-time Cannes Lions Grand Prix winner, Kutscher had led creative teams at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and JWT NY. The friends wanted to create something together, and after nearly a year and 8-9 pilot batches, they created Dad Strength. It is the nation’s first dedicated low-ABV craft brewery and offers beers at just 2.9% ABV and 94 calories. It is perfect for savoring the moment without sacrificing the next day and is reviving “five-beer Fridays.”
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Dad Strength Brewing: Where Are They Now?
Dad Strength Brewing has seen a major boost in visibility since its feature on CBS Mornings, where Craig Carey and Ryan Kutscher shared the brand’s origin story, what they call the “Dastory.” That national exposure helped accelerate their distribution footprint as they have easy distrubutor options as well. Today, Dad Strength is available across Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Michigan, and it is sold in liquor stores, gas stations, supermarkets, farm markets, and wine shops. To make things even easier for customers, their website features a detailed store locator, allowing customers to quickly find the nearest stockist. The beer is also available online through partners like Atlas Brew Works and DC Wine Guy, making it possible for consumers to order directly to their doorsteps.
Priced at $11.99 for a pack, Dad Strength offers an accessible entry point for anyone curious about mid-strength craft beer. Their presence in respected publications such as Men’s Health Magazine, The Beer Connoisseur, and AXIOS has further validated the brand’s position in the market and helped spread their message that you can enjoy beer without paying for it the next day. Beyond distribution, Dad Strength Brewing has leaned into experiential marketing to connect with its audience and also has an Ambassador program, dubbed Dadbassador. They frequently host pop-up activations at convenience stores and community markets, offering free tastings and trials so people can experience the taste for themselves.
This grassroots approach has been instrumental in changing perceptions, as customers are often surprised that the beer is full-flavored and satisfying despite its low ABV. Their product lineup currently features three core flavors- highly crushable West Coast-style IPA, fruit notes, and citrus and pineapple notes- designed to taste like classic craft beers but without the heaviness. They’ve focused on perfecting the balance between flavor, refreshment, and drinkability, a formula that has earned praise from first-time samplers and repeat buyers alike. To build brand loyalty, Dad Strength also sells merchandise on its website, including logo t-shirts and caps, priced at $29.95 and $24.95, respectively. With growing demand and continued word-of-mouth buzz, Dad Strength Brewing is shaping up to become the go-to option for beer lovers who want to enjoy the moment without sacrificing tomorrow.
