Brewing/Liquor License

[Jacob_Marley]

In the California Goldrush of the mid 1800's, most people didn't get rich by striking gold ... they got rich by selling shovels and hot meals and clothes and doing laundry and opening saloons and brothels and boarding houses.

Not sure where the sweet spot is in the beer industry - particularly for the small business, but it's probably not in producing the beer itself ... but in all the other stuff in the value-chain and services and in retail.

 

[Wirk]

In the California Goldrush of the mid 1800's, most people didn't get rich by striking gold ... they got rich by selling shovels and hot meals and clothes and doing laundry and opening saloons and brothels and boarding houses.

Not sure where the sweet spot is in the beer industry, but it's probably not in producing the beer ... but in all the other stuff in the value-chain or in retail.

Maybe you can be two parts of th chain. I always thought the best business is to start a pub that brews its own beer, it must be a lot of work but the few I know here are always full. The major issue is the initial investment.

 

[DoubleAught]

I brew for a homebrewer who went pro. I completely volunteer my time and will occasionally take home a growler or two of the product as compensation. Trust me when I say that the brewing is the easy (and fun) part. The legal and business side of it is torturous from what I've seen. My dream is that we one day hit it big and I can quit my day job and just brew until my hearts content

 

[Matt3989]

Well i just read through this thread. And while I know this is the extremely basic talk of the extremely over asked question. I still found it very informative, if nothing else it helped me day dream a little during a slow day at work. So thanks for the info daksin, zamial, and good luck with your endeavor rexbanner.

Also, i like the idea of having shirts/ mugs at a free tasting party for friends.

 

[jwwbrennan]

What are the laws governing cooperatives (generally) where no money changes hands? People get together, some bring malt, some bring talent, some do renovations, some record the contributions and the benefits. Is financial profit what determines legality? There would be none but everybody profits without using money.

 

[Phunhog]

What are the laws governing cooperatives (generally) where no money changes hands? People get together, some bring malt, some bring talent, some do renovations, some record the contributions and the benefits. Is financial profit what determines legality? There would be none but everybody profits without using money.

I don't know the particular laws, they vary from state to state. Here in CA there is a quasi co-op http://brewlabsf.com/ It has been operating for a few years now. I DO believe money changes hands in this case....for those non-brewers but I could be wrong.

 

[jwwbrennan]

Here in CA there is a quasi co-op http://brewlabsf.com/

That looks ideal. The photograph says a lot about its success. In this area the scope would have to be broadened to include non-brewers who offer other services on and off the premises (home and car repairs come to mind) and probably make a few changes to adhere to the law. I guess in small areas it could be a bartering beer-based cooperative. Only benefiting those who contribute by not using the corporate-government currency or paying all those additional sales taxes would certainly be a feature. Coordinating across jurisdictions would make them even more interesting. A homebrew-based tax and independence revolt - the beer party.

 

[ktblunden]

That looks ideal. The photograph says a lot about its success. In this area the scope would have to be broadened to include non-brewers who offer other services on and off the premises (home and car repairs come to mind) and probably make a few changes to adhere to the law. I guess in small areas it could be a bartering beer-based cooperative. Only benefiting those who contribute by not using the corporate-government currency or paying all those additional sales taxes would certainly be a feature. Coordinating across jurisdictions would make them even more interesting. A homebrew-based tax and independence revolt - the beer party.

It would require extensive research into the laws of the state and locality, but generally a barter system like you describe is considered to be selling. There's a lot of "but what if?" situations thrown around and it almost always boils down to the fact that it can be construed as selling alcohol and should be regulated as such.

 

[jwwbrennan]

It would require extensive research into the laws of the state and locality, but generally a barter system like you describe is considered to be selling. There's a lot of "but what if?" situations thrown around and it almost always boils down to the fact that it can be construed as selling alcohol and should be regulated as such.

Brew Lab seems to have figured out something in CA that allows it to exist and prosper. As they list the available brews they may be a good case study for one state and may well be an indicator for others. That's a start the OP might consider.

 

[ktblunden]

Brew Lab seems to have figured out something in CA that allows it to exist and prosper. As they list the available brews they may be a good case study for one state and may well be an indicator for others. That's a start the OP might consider.

I don't see any mention on that site of bartering. They say they hold tasting events, which is legal under CA law for homebrew. Again, it depends on the laws of the individual state.

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

Maybe you can be two parts of th chain. I always thought the best business is to start a pub that brews its own beer, it must be a lot of work but the few I know here are always full. The major issue is the initial investment.

I believe most states that continue to follow the three tier model prohibit an entity or individuals from owning more than one level in the tier.

 

[jwwbrennan]

I don't see any mention on that site of bartering. They say they hold tasting events, which is legal under CA law for homebrew. Again, it depends on the laws of the individual state.

On http://brewlabsf.com/posts there is reference to a $15 charge. So, in one state, it appears people have worked out the details of sharing each other's wares cooperatively. People bring product, they share product and it appears, in this case, in that state, it is only beer with a value placed on the event. So if, rather than bartering, everyone shares their particular product according to an agreement with others willing to share their product they're good to go.

OK, no bartering, just agreements to share in an equitable manner.

 

[Phunhog]

On http://brewlabsf.com/posts there is reference to a $15 charge. So, in one state, it appears people have worked out the details of sharing each other's wares cooperatively. People bring product, they share product and it appears, in this case, in that state, it is only beer with a value placed on the event. So if, rather than bartering, everyone shares their particular product according to an agreement with others willing to share their product they're good to go.

OK, no bartering, just agreements to share in an equitable manner.

I have been following BrewlabsSF for a while now. I don't think what they do is completely legal, in some cases I believe people don't bring any beer but rather bring money to trade. They certainly aren't shy about what they are doing!! I know they have written up in several local newspapers/blogs. What I find interesting is that really they are on the cutting edge as far as what homebrewers are doing on a community level. It may well be a model for others.

 

[paulster2626]

What if you just brew and sell your homebrew on a boat in International Waters?

Success??

 

[Mongrel]

What if you just brew and sell your homebrew on a boat in International Waters?

Success??

If Seasteading takes off, I want to build a brewery on the converted oil rig.

 

[Matt3989]

What if you just brew and sell your homebrew on a boat in International Waters?

Success??

Start a Cruise line, the brew cruise...

And at $6 a beer to be competitive with the other cruise lines, you could definitely turn a profit... (as long as you already have access to a 30 billion dollar ship)

 

[Phunhog]

Start a Cruise line, the brew cruise...

And at $6 a beer to be competitive with the other cruise lines, you could definitely turn a profit... (as long as you already have access to a 30 billion dollar ship)

You aren't that far off!! Check this out! Mobile taproom.....http://brewtrucsf.com/ The best part is that he needs NO ALCOHOL LICENSE in CA!! He is considered a limo/charter bus which are specifically exempt from needing an alcohol license. The cost is for the "ride" and the beers, including homebrew, are complimentary. He takes people on tours of SF or sometimes he just parks it in a public lot like a food truck. Such a great idea!!

 

[jwwbrennan]

You aren't that far off!! Check this out! Mobile taproom.....http://brewtrucsf.com/ The best part is that he needs NO ALCOHOL LICENSE in CA!! He is considered a limo/charter bus which are specifically exempt from needing an alcohol license. The cost is for the "ride" and the beers, including homebrew, are complimentary. He takes people on tours of SF or sometimes he just parks it in a public lot like a food truck. Such a great idea!!

Now that's the kind of thinking that gets people to where he's going - he sees opportunities where others might see obstacles.

 

[paulster2626]

Start a Cruise line, the brew cruise...

And at $6 a beer to be competitive with the other cruise lines, you could definitely turn a profit... (as long as you already have access to a 30 billion dollar ship)

I'm going on a cruise in January. Should I bring all my stuff? I wonder if there's a beer that I can make and have drinkable within 5 days.

 

[Big_Cat]

I love the human brain...when things sound impossible there is always someone who proves that impossible is just a door that hasn't been opened yet

 

[brett1341]

Anyone have insight on if I wanted to donate a 5 gallon batch to a church auction would that be considered "selling" it and be subject to all that nastiness?

 

[Phunhog]

I don't know... but I am donating 5 gallons of beer to my church this weekend for their Oktoberfest party. They are paying for the actual glass bottles and the custom labels.

 

[Matt3989]

I imagine the thing that would be illegal there would be the church selling alcohol without a license. But churches and clubs sometimes have weird laws about that, i know I've been to a few bars in Pennsylvania that were actually church basements...

 

[xmacro]

Anyone have insight on if I wanted to donate a 5 gallon batch to a church auction would that be considered "selling" it and be subject to all that nastiness?

"Selling" implies you're financially gaining from it; donations are giveaways