Planning on going Pro!

[sp1365]

Good luck!

I will be doing this as well in the next coming years. I am writing up my business plan now for a production brewery in Northern IL.

 

[munche]

Awesome! I've been frequenting a local brewer (Inland Empire Brewing in Riverside) who just made the jump from homebrewers to pro brewers. They've taken much the same road as you it looks like.

Good luck!

 

[seabrew8]

Good luck dude, sounds exciting.

 

[lucasszy]

Good luck!

I will be doing this as well in the next coming years. I am writing up my business plan now for a production brewery in Northern IL.

Drop me a note if you want to trade ideas back and forth. I have some amazing and really detailed worksheets that you can use to project growth, returns, break even points, as well as some well thought out business plan templates.

Best of luck to you too, as well! We need more local beer everywhere!

 

[lucasszy]

Congrats and Good Luck.



But does this mean I should grab up your recipes before you copyright them?

Funny thing is that there is a few recipes that I havent posted anywhere, because I am copyrighting them. Very unique takes on some awesome beer, think in the same arena as Anchor Brewing and their Steam Beer (TM)(C). I hate to even start things with this mentality, but there is something to say about having exclusive rights to something.

Once all the paperwork is done for the copyright, I fully believe in sharing recipes and methods. We can all make great beer, but I just think that I have a few interesting twists on the same old thing that just might make this a venture to pursue!

Cheers All!

 

[lucasszy]

Good luck! Sounds like you are doing the right things. And I have to give a prost to a fellow cuber that is going pro. Don't for get the going pro group here, are you posting there?

I honestly dont feel that I am worthy of that group yet. I dont have equipment yet, I dont have a place yet, I have even begun to start the paperwork. 3 months and I'll feel up to par.

But I am actually quite happy with how my negotiations for the brewing equipment is going. Its always more than you expected, but its not a killer yet!

Cheers

 

[Pommy]

Good luck mate, your certainly living the dream, im about 5-10 years behind you

Subscribed.

 

[Julohan]

Funny thing is that there is a few recipes that I havent posted anywhere, because I am copyrighting them. Very unique takes on some awesome beer, think in the same arena as Anchor Brewing and their Steam Beer (TM)(C). I hate to even start things with this mentality, but there is something to say about having exclusive rights to something.

Once all the paperwork is done for the copyright, I fully believe in sharing recipes and methods. We can all make great beer, but I just think that I have a few interesting twists on the same old thing that just might make this a venture to pursue!

Cheers All!

I know some breweries try to keep the recipes secret. I didn't know you could actually copyright a recipe.

 

[knelson]

Good Luck Shizmo! Its always great to hear about people taking risks and making their dreams a reality. I respect that a lot.

About what the others have said about bottling, I agree that the best way to market and brand yourself is through bottles. With a keg, all you have is a tap handle. With bottles (or cans) exposure to the market is increased ten fold.

I would recommend talking to some local brewers who do bottle and work out a deal to contract their bottling/canning lines out. I have a friend who went pro in the last few years. He does all of his kegging and experimental beers at his on-site brewery. But he contracted his main brew out to a large brewery. He basically gives them the recipe and they brew it and can it for him. Saves him the time and money of having to buy the equipment. he was a bit leary at first to let someone else brew his beer, but it has turned out fantastic.

Just a thought....dont let the cost of a bottling line distract you from getting your brews on the shelfs of local liquor stores or in the hands of distributors.

Best of luck

 

[ArtVandelay]

I know some breweries try to keep the recipes secret. I didn't know you could actually copyright a recipe.

Congrats! hope it works out well for you.

Also, it would be pretty hard to copyright a recipe. I work as an adheisve chemist and although we have many many formulations which are secret, nothing is copyrighted and very few things can even be patented. It's all just trade secret stuff. I imagine brewing recipes would be similar.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

IIRC the only way you can copyright a recipe is if you use normal materials and normal methods and they produce unheard of results. I may be way off base though.

Anywho, good luck! I hope to be there some day too!

 

[Manfish]

Good luck to you for sure! I think it's awesome! Can't wait to hear how things go for you!

Last Friday I was talking to a couple people about home brewing and how much fun I was having with it. 1 told me that if I got my license, he would give me a tap at his bar. I laughed at it honestly, especially since I had no clue who he was (come to find out he owns a very busy bar here in town). However, I have been thinking about it every since, but I dont have the $$ for the fancy equipment, so it will probably never happen. Would have been cool to get to go there and see people ordering brew that I made though. Haven't completely given up on it...

 

[RegionalChaos]

Manfish, just start planning! That's what I'm doing. I may not be going pro today, tomorrow or next year, but I've got a plan, and I find myself always coming back to it, and adding details, and sorting it out, etc.. Anything is possible with the right planning

 

[doobliebop]

"Funny thing is that there is a few recipes that I havent posted anywhere, because I am copyrighting them."

You can't copyright recipes. Just keep them a secret...



From http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html
How do I protect my recipe?
A mere listing of ingredients is not protected under copyright law. However, where a recipe or formula is accompanied by substantial literary expression in the form of an explanation or directions, or when there is a collection of recipes as in a cookbook, there may be a basis for copyright protection. Note that if you have secret ingredients to a recipe that you do not wish to be revealed, you should not submit your recipe for registration, because applications and deposit copies are public records. See FL 122, Recipes.

 

[carnevoodoo]

Anchor has a hold on the word "steam" in regards to the style. Anyone can make a California Common and be fine. The recipe is not copyrighted at all, and to prove that you were the first EVER to brew something unique would be quite a chore.

 

[Clonefarmer]

Anchor has a hold on the word "steam" in regards to the style. Anyone can make a California Common and be fine. The recipe is not copyrighted at all, and to prove that you were the first EVER to brew something unique would be quite a chore.

They have a trademark on the name "Steam" although they can't patent or copyright the method used AFAIK.

 

[DylansDad]

Good luck! Keep us posted!

 

[Manfish]

Manfish, just start planning! That's what I'm doing. I may not be going pro today, tomorrow or next year, but I've got a plan, and I find myself always coming back to it, and adding details, and sorting it out, etc.. Anything is possible with the right planning

Oh, I am planning I just have to keep reminding myself that it's only been a week since that offer came up, it's going to take time!

 

[Zamial]

I wish you all the best. :rockin:

 

[Brewineer]

That sounds awesome and I wish you good success. I, too, plan on making a professional jump in the next couple of years and would be thrilled to see how you are doing it / have done it.

 

[Vekta]

let us all know when you have an idea for your launch date. I'm in the area. I got space in the fridge waiting already.

 

[sp1365]

Drop me a note if you want to trade ideas back and forth. I have some amazing and really detailed worksheets that you can use to project growth, returns, break even points, as well as some well thought out business plan templates.

Best of luck to you too, as well! We need more local beer everywhere!

Definitely interested in trading ideas and talking. The more info and brainstorming that happens the better we both can be. The worksheets would be nice since all the ones I end up building are a pain. As for a BP, I have a good template right now, just working on filling it out.

If you are ever in the Chicagoland area, hit me up. I'll treat you to a pint and we can talk.