Business is booming for a Painswick-based entrepreneur and founder of Qwerty Beer Box despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Former Marling student Quinn Leatherbarrow-Stokes, 23, created the craft beer company with his friend Nikolaus Porsch in October and has since sold to more than 1,500 individual customers.

Working with around 50 different breweries, the pair have been delivering craft beer selections from the Cotswolds, Bristol and Devon as well as hosting virtual tasting sessions.

“We’re looking to provide lots of different regional collaborations and allow people from across the country to experience independent craft beer that they otherwise wouldn’t know about,” said Mr Leatherbarrow-Stokes.

“We’ve done lots of beer-related research and tastings which is obviously extremely hard work,” he laughed.

Their regional ‘best of’ ranges are about to get bigger, with the introduction of the ‘Best of Cornwall’ on May 17 and ‘Best of the South West’ in time for Fathers’ Day.

“The pub is the place to go and socialize, but if you want to try regional, authentic craft beer from a region you’re not familiar with or you just want to reminisce about the holiday you went to down in Cornwall and Devon, then we can offer that.”

Mr Leatherbarrow-Stokes said lockdown has encouraged pub patrons to try beers they haven’t before online, rather than sticking to their favourite at the bar.

His go-to drinks from their selection include Budding from Stroud Brewery, Pilsner’s made by the Cotswold Brewery and Blunderbuss from Clavell & Hind in Cirencester.

“Going into the craft beer industry I was fairly naive. The pale ales and IPAs were my stomping ground but since getting into it there’s been some amazing porters, stouts and even some sours,” he said.

He said he hopes to give back to the breweries that have supported him by hosting a beer festival when Covid-19 restrictions allow it.

Mr Leatherbarrow-Stokes previously worked with Stroud Brewery, helping them to grow their online presence as part of the Amazon Campus Challenge he competed in while at the University of Exeter.

Use the promo code 'StroudAndProud' to get 10 per cent off regional selections and free delivery at QWERTYBeerBox.co.uk.