Holy Poop on a Stick!!!

[brewt00l]

Just kegging for now to keep things as simple as possible. I'm going with my Amber Ale for my main beer and a Porter to supplement. I'll branch out from there. I've been able to brew the Amber consistently and the recipe is pretty basic and fairly cheap.

I've got an attorney doing all the legal crap that would make me pull my hair out. I'm still in the early stages on this so it's a work in progress

Sounds like you have stuff well under way. When you have your brewers notice in hand hoist one for me!

 

[c.n.budz]

so, I got all of my licensing paperwork today... The "agent" at the liquor control board was very helpful, but the stack of applications he sent me looks quite daunting.

I also may have found an alternative to buying a bunch of equipment for the moment. A brewery in Mass that only uses the facilities part time may be willing to let me use their space. I'm not crazy about this idea in a brewing context but it makes alot of sense in a business context since it would be really cheap. I might be spending more time in Mass soon...

 

[the_bird]

Boy, that sounds like a real blessing, if you can get this venture off the ground without having to make a huge capital investment up-front. That's what kills so many new businesses, lack of capital, and I've been worried that you'd end up cutting it REAL close with the money you raised, if you ended up spending most of it on equipment. If you can get started using someone else's equipment, start getting your customer base built up, and have a semi-established business, it will be a LOT easier to get subsequent financing, once you have somewhat proven your business model.

That really is good, good news.

 

[c.n.budz]

I know it's good but for some reason in my mind distance from brewery = lack of control, and that worries me...

 

[olllllo]

Brooklyn Brewery started out that way.

They have a book.

I just got it a day or two ago.

 

[the_bird]

Well, how far are we talking?

I can understand that concern, but remember, if it doesn't work out you can always buy equipment later.

 

[c.n.budz]

Not too far, southern mass. Bird, are you by chance looking for a part time job in brewery oversight?

 

[the_bird]

If it was within an hour or so drive, I'd help you out if I could. I'm pretty much as far away from "southern" MA as it gets, unless it happens to be in South Berkshire (don't know of any breweries down there). Still, it's a standing offer for free assistance on brew day, I'd love, just for giggles, to really get my hands involved in how a "real" brewery operates. Of course, the wife won't want to hear that, I could see her start twitching when we were watching a show about homebrewers quitting their day jobs to start breweries

 

[c.n.budz]

I was in New hampshire last weekend and passed through N. Adams on 91(or at least went by the exit for it) I was suprised how far north in mass it was

 

[c.n.budz]

The weird part out of all of this is I already have a bunch of customer lined up(they've had my beer and everything) it's the legal and logistical parts that are getting annoying right now...

 

[the_bird]

I was in New hampshire last weekend and passed through N. Adams on 91(or at least went by the exit for it) I was suprised how far north in mass it was

Hate to tell you, son, you were still an hour's drive away!

 

[Porter fan]

Good luck..Brew it good and they will come..:drunk

 

[Porter fan]

Good luck..Brew it good and they will come..

 

[Cheesefood]

http://www.nabrewing.com/newlist.shtml

May I ask your exit strategy? Just curious as to how long you've planned on being able to support rent, licensing, etc if you have to close.

 

[casper0074]

Check out this link:
http://www.flyingfish.com/fishtales/business1.cfm

 

[doubleb]

Hi Cnbudz,

I just saw this thread today. Congrates on your up and coming brewery. How is everything going as of late? How are the legal and logistical things going?

As far as equipment, have you thought of hiring a welder to possibly fashion your brewery from scratch. There is probably one around that has done it before. Maybe one of the local breweries knows someone.

I may be able to convince a bar here in Milford to put your beer on tap. I know the owner. You can add me to your customer base as I'll have to get some for myself.

good luck and keep me posted

 

[c.n.budz]

Well, I just got some bummer news...

I submitted my applications to the CT liquor board a little while ago. Called today to get an update and they told me they are back logged and won't even be looking at my application for approximately 6 months and then the licensing process will take at least another 4-6 months

Oh well, I guess this just gives me a bunch more time to develop and refine more recipes...

 

[olllllo]

Maybe the Hops situation will be more in your favor by then.

 

[LouT]

Just licence your business in another state, if that's an option...

 

[JustDave]

Well at least that gives you more time to plan, both on the business and the brewing side of things.

 

[SRTBREW]

Time to dig up an oldie but goody. Any updates on this?

 

[Damonic]

This sounds like a daunting task... best of luck!

 

[c.n.budz]

Still working on it...

The investment money is still there, but my business partner and I had to make some changes to our original plan due to cost, licensing, and the general curve balls and monkey wrenches that life throws your way. Currently I have been brewing at an area brewpub to learn as much as possible about large scale brewing. We're also discussing contract batches with a small brewery that has some extra capacity, but the earliest they would be able to accommodate a batch would be this fall/winter, and on top of that their distributor would require my partner and I to line up all the end buyers for the batches. So, still in the works but moving along very slowly.

 

[RiverSwillBeer]

I know you probably have read a ton of books on starting a brewery but for kicks .. I bought Sam Calagione's book Brewing up a business and its a great read. He started really small and has a ton of great insights on a lot of things including things you may have given no thought to. Its a really easy read too. http://www.amazon.com/Brewing-Up-Business-Adventures-Entrepreneurship/dp/0470050454/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213980284&sr=8-1

 

[SRTBREW]

Budz I wish you all the luck in the world. I think I speak for most everyone on here when I say I wish I could do that, even if you are experiencing some difficulty.

I definitely don't have enough money to even set up the legal end of things or pay an attorney to make me understand the laws regarding brewing professionally.

 

[the_bird]

So, you won't be requiring my services as Head of Fermenter Sanitation Services anytime soon?

 

[c.n.budz]

So, you won't be requiring my services as Head of Fermenter Sanitation Services anytime soon?

That's one of my new primary duties at the brew pub

I do, however, have a couple carboys that need cleaning if you're interested

 

[the_bird]

Budz, did you see this? It *just* showed up in my email...

Hello ***,


A Revolutionary Way
to Help Micro-Entrepreneurs

In June’s “What’s On Tap” you learned that The Boston Beer Company is creating a charitable program, "Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream", to help the little guys in the food and beverage industry; micro-entrepreneurs who have a solid business idea, but who need assistance. That assistance will take many forms including establishing a new fund to provide funding or legal expertise. For others, it will be the insights and guidance of a mentor or coach who has built a similar business. And yet for others, it will be access to networks and exposure that is beyond their reach...Helping lower income entrepreneurs take a step up in life and realize their American dream is a natural fit for The Boston Beer Company and grows from the very essence of who we are as a company. Come help us officially launch the program with a special night at the brewery. Meet Jim Koch and others critical to the effort. Sample great beers and great food selected to match perfectly. You can also participate in a silent auction with 100% of the proceeds going to the fund. We have a limited number of spots left open to the public. If you’re interested act fast!
RSVP here

• What: Samuel Adams Special Event - Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Kick Off
• When: Monday, June 30th - 6pm to 8pm
• Where: Samuel Adams Boston Brewery 30 Germania Street MBTA Orange Line - Stony Brook Station

EDIT: sh!t...

Sorry but all the spots have filled-up. Please read your "What's On Tap" newsletter each month to learn of Boston Brewery open houses and other special events open to our friends. Thank you.

 

[c.n.budz]

Wow. I know SA gets bashed a lot(not by me, I like their beers) but you have to admire the ways they try to help the craft beer industry

 

[Hoosierbrewer]

There is a brewpub in Louisville that uses a small system. I think it is Cumberland Brews. If you start small, many times you can talk another brewpub/brewery into making beer for you if you need it. I would also look at the brewey in Dexter Michigan. They have a small system and sell bottles of their beers individually. I think it is Jolly Pumpkin. I have 2 bars that have agreed to put a beer on tap, if I can get a brewpub to make a batch. I have asked 2, but they said no. They used to, but not now.

I like the idea of a smaller system since you can transfer it to homebrew when you upgrade. If you brewed more specialty and harder to find beers (belgians, barleywine, etc... you could tap into a higher priced market where consumers are used to buying by the bottle.