There's nothing like a good craft beer as a perk at the end of the day. The craft beer business in the United States is huge, but making craft beer and starting a craft beer brewery do need planning and preparation to be profitable.
You can start your own brewery and make good money while you're at it. Here's how to start your own craft beer business.
Educate Yourself
Before you open a brewery, it's important to learn a little bit about how to operate a brewery. You can learn more about what it takes to run a brewery through education in a university program, hands-on experience in a brewery, or both.
Giving yourself a good foundation will help you when you eventually open your own brewery.
Business Model and Legal Logistics
Decide on what model you'd like for your brewery business. You can pick a microbrewery if you're looking at beginning a craft beer brewery with less than 15,000 barrels brewed every year, usually offsite. Otherwise, if you're thinking a little larger, then you could look at opening a brewpub to pair brews and bites.
There are also legal logistics to consider when opening a brewery. Following all federal beer laws, as well as state laws, is important to keep you and your brewery protected. Make sure to get all of your appropriate licensures as well.
You will need to consider what sort of contracts and agreements you make between vendors and employees.
Overall, you need a comprehensive business model for your craft beer company or brewery to ensure financial guidelines.
The Brewery Brand
Deciding on what you'd like your brewery brand to be is also an important step in the craft beer business. Your brand is the identity of your company that you show to the world. It must be unique and engaging.
Think about what is most important to you as you embark on the craft beer journey. Who are the kind of people you want to drink your beer? What makes your beer more unique than the others out there?
Stay specific so that your identity and messaging come off clear to potential customers. You will display your brand within your own brewery and also on the products that come out of it, such as on beer packaging and beer bottles and cans.
Don't Forget the Start-Up Costs
Yes, you will eventually make money off of your brewery. However, in the beginning, you need to remember the necessary start-up costs for an operation like this.
Anticipate that you'll spend money to acquire the necessary licenses, rent on the space your brewery is in, insurance, and more. For brewing equipment, top suppliers have you covered.
Remember to allocate wages for you and your future employees! There are also other costs if you operate a craft beer brewpub (buy those glasses and steins!).
Good Luck on Your Craft Beer Business
These are the basics to consider when opening your craft beer brewery for the first time. While you do need to make decisions on what your brewery will be, you don't need to worry about failing. The craft beer market is only increasing in popularity, which mean growing profits for you. It's time for you to brew the big bucks with bold beers!