Starting a brewery may be every beer lover’s dream. The beer industry is more than your typical consumer industry. It is a community. Beer lovers have a shared passion for beer and crafting the best. There are over 4,000 breweries within the United States. To be one of the best, you must have a vast knowledge of the market and beer production in general. There are four main things that every brewery owner will need when starting your business.
Getting Training and Schooling
Becoming a brewer is harder than it looks. Most experts suggest becoming fully trained by working in a well-run brewery before taking a step out on your own. Although this may include tedious tasks such as cleaning, restocking, and sterilizing, working at a brewery will show you the ins and outs of production and running this kind of business. There are also more formal styles of learning the business. Some states, such as California, Michigan, Colorado, and Oregon offer four-year degrees. There are also online certificates that can be completed more flexibly.
Setting Up Your Facilities
All businesses need to think about what facilities they’ll use and how they need to be set up, but this is especially important for breweries. In addition to having the space and equipment necessary for producing beer, you also need to be able to keep everything sterile. In addition to simply being good practice for all businesses, sterilizing your facility is vital for maintaining consistency between batches and matching the flavor you want to produce.
One way to maintain a sterile environment in your facility is to have the right flooring. The floors can be a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and other things that shouldn’t be anywhere near your brews. Because of that, you need to choose flooring that is easy to clean and that is resistant to bacteria growth.
Acid brick flooring is a good choice for breweries because it is resistant to humidity and moisture, meaning that bacteria and mold won’t have the opportunity to grow. It is also resistant to heat and chemicals, so it can stand up to the conditions you’ll see in your brewery. Because of that, you won’t have to worry about maintenance as often as with some other types of floor. Talk to an acid brick supplier like Archway Brick and Tile about finding the right kind of brick flooring for your facility.
Finding Distributors
The United States calls for a three-tiered system when it comes to distributing alcohol. The three tiers are you, the distributors, and the alcohol retailers. As the brewer, you sell what you produce to the wholesale distributors. The wholesale distributors then sell their products to the retailers. States have their own specific set of rules in place for distribution. More conservative states like Pennsylvania and Utah have more control over the distribution process.
Brewers should put in their best effort when pitching to a new distributor. Seasoned brewers recommend creating a presentation that presents the best information about the beer you are brewing. Be prepared to answer specific questions about your products during the presentations.
Acquiring Needed Funds
Finding funds for your brewery may be the most difficult part of the process. There are various ways to fund your brewery that won’t leave you penniless. Crowdfunding is becoming one of the most popular methods of funding new start-ups. Crowdfunding is a process in which people personally donate money to companies that they have an interest or passion for. Local banks are also sometimes interested in giving loans to small businesses that may bring wealth to their communities.
Although starting your own brewery may seem impossible, it can be done with the right of effort and education. Many podcasts, videos, and articles that experts have created can help guide beginners to the right path.