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Starting your own craft brewery requires a decent amount of forethought. Don’t forget to consider these important aspects before you go all in.
Craft brews aren’t simply the product of a hobby that some people partake in deep in their homes’ basements. Selling craft beer has become a massive industry that has only continued to grow in popularity.
If brewing is a hobby that you take seriously enough to want it to no longer be just a hobby, you have a lot to think about. Starting a brewery of your own will take some serious know-how, which is why we’ve made this guide to some of the important considerations for starting a craft brewery.
Craft Brewery Equipment
A brewery essentially lives and dies based on its equipment. High-quality brewing equipment is a serious investment that you should take some time for. Consider all your options before deciding on one piece over another.
If you don’t trust the equipment you plan to use, you won’t be able to last a long time in the industry. Remember to consider your scale and that you’ll need equipment both for brewing and storing your beer if you plan to make enough to sell it all over.
Location and Building
A brewery’s location is important for several reasons. If you plan to let customers shop at your brewery, it will need to be big enough to have retail space. You also want to consider its location in relation to your suppliers. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a building that is already set up for housing a brewery’s equipment, so don’t be surprised if you must do some renovations.
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Product Loss
Every business in every industry you can think of has product loss in one way or another. It’s an inevitable part of doing any kind of business. However, with a craft brewery, you need to consider how much product loss you can handle before you start to tank. Brews that don’t turn out right will eat into your profits much worse than you might think. Planning ahead for possible product loss will help ensure that you don’t get taken by surprise.
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Retail Sales
One crucial consideration for starting a craft brewery is whether or not you’ll also be a retailer. Many breweries choose to forego this option and sell their products in other stores, but you may want a more personal touch.
Retail stores have a number of other regulations that must be met before they can begin operating, so consider how much time and effort converting your brewery into a retailer will take and whether you believe you can make it worth the energy.
