Actually, bringing beer to work isn't that difficult. I mean, if you can get away with it. It's not something like pizza that has to be prepared and has a time window for consumption.
We used to do this at an place I used to work. We just approached a local liquor store, he agreed, no delivery charges as it was guaranteed sales. No licensing issues, straight forward. We'd get a call in morning to confirm the order, between 3-4 he'd show up with cold beers for us. Ask and you shall receive basically.
"We deliver multiples of 12 bottles at £2.50+VAT per bottle."
That's US$4/bottle for lazy converters. On the high side if you're coming from sourcing your own, but not horrible when factoring in delivery and the variety. Not many people would get through more than 2-3 on an average Friday while they wrap up work. I like the idea.
Here in my office, we get cases of craft beer direct from the source and pay cash. What's $65/case in a bottleshop is $50 direct and is there at all times rather than just Friday. Beer lasts pretty well, so it's rarely an issue to stock up in advance.
I think these guys should revise the "5pm at the latest" to more like "midday at the latest". I wouldn't want to be waiting past 2pm some tough days or 4pm any time. Not in the "desperate alcoholic" sense, but as a comparison to "how it is at the moment".
Regular subscription would be the key to income. Any spares can be saved for later or taken home. Could even stock up in advance and deliver mixed cases with tasting notes pretty easily, rather than a dozen at a time.
(Since I can't edit that post anymore, what I linked to was a bar graph showing how many minutes of work it takes to earn the sum needed to purchase 500ml of beer in various countries, based on 2011 retail prices and national median wage.)
I was just in Alaska for the weekend, and we bought two 24 packs for the price of one back in Canada (and Canada is a little cheaper than Oz). Hard liquor is less than 1/2 price.
In a bar, beers were $2 that we pay $5-$7 for in Canada.
Interesting that this is in London where the majority of office workers don't drive to work. Don't know if this would be as successful elsewhere in the world, where more people drive and hence would be reluctant to drink before driving home.
Not to sound pretentious, because I'm a big craft beer fan, but I think they're just saying that because Red Stripe is a pretty typical beer in people's fridges. There are so many great craft beers out there, even if you like Red Stripe, nothing's wrong with a bit of variety.
Not sure how it is in London, but where I'm at you certainly can't run down to 7-Eleven and expect to choose a beer. Your options will be limited to a handful of mass produced beers supplied by large distributors. I keep a mental list of shops with decent microbrews.
This product seemingly takes the hassle out of deciding whether traveling the extra mile and back is worth it for a unique beer. There's no hate specifically for Red Stripe.
Because it is vastly inferior to their other drink, Dragon Stout, from that brewery and they either stopped making the superior brew or don't distribute it as widely anymore.
In ${WORK} we've started to do 'treat days' on Mondays instead of Fridays. it really perks the mood, since everyone is dreary at the start of the week.
It sounds like they are delivering it themselves. Here in New York City, it's quite easy to get beer delivered (as in just select it on Seamless when placing your order). I also have had wine and whiskey delivered to my apartment direct from the store. The price of DeskBeers isn't even that different than getting a beer at a bar here (possibly cheaper). Seems like it would be a perfect fit for NYC.
If your startup or organization has the kind of judgment that results in thinking it's somehow a good idea to bring alcoholic beverages into the office on Fridays or any other days, neither I nor anyone else I know will want to do any work with you.
Drinking is for after work, somewhere other than work.
I guess you don't know many people who work in tech in SF, then... companies regularly list office beer as a job perk along with the snacks and pingpong. In fact, I've never worked anywhere where drinking wasn't a significant part of the culture, including office drinking, during office hours (at least on Fridays).
Uh, actually I work in the SF and Valley tech scene and know it intimately and extensively. You somehow want to have us believe this is a widespread and accepted practice - it's not among any reputable groups.
The liability issues alone make "listing" drinking alcohol at work during or after office hours as a "job perk" even more moronic.
But do feel free to list right here on HN the startups who proudly list beer drinking during office hours on office premises as a "perk".
There are many of us who do business in the tech world who will consider that a public service announcement of organizations to avoid doing business with.
You're talking about this as if the idea was to get everyone drunk at work. Spoilers: it's not.
Sure, "I do not want to drink at the workplace, I don't mix work and fun". It's sad you feel that way but you can't deny the team-building aspects.
The good thing about "drinking at work" is that it doesn't exclude anyone. You don't have to think "we're going to bar X, how will I get there? then come back home?". You're already there so staying up 20 minutes to an hour more just to relax and do something different with your colleagues is not too much of a hassle[1] :)
[1]: Unless you don't like your coworkers in which case you should look for a new job.
Instead of (wooden desk, mac air, moleskine, coffee) it's (wooden desk, mac air, moleskine, beer).
In all seriousness, I really wish I lived in London. For stuff like this and also it seems to have a pretty big indie game dev scene.