Scaling up

[DNW]

Not sure where to put this, or if it's actually appropriate on an HB forum, but this is the only place I know...

I've been home brewing for a few years and really enjoy the process and results.

I have run my own (non-beer related) business for many years and it has been quite successful. I've been approached by someone with an interest to buy, and if we follow through I would be in a position to consider starting something else. One of the many options I've considered is a brewery

However, while I think I know business pretty well, and the basic process of brewing (in 5 gallon batches), there is way too much I don't know about the business of brewing. I have no illusions that there is an equivalent to HBT for commercial brewers, but does anyone have any suggestions where I might turn for guidance? I am having even greater respect for people like Jim Koch (not that I have any aspirations to repeat his path), starting out without the internet.

TIA,
d

 

[orangehero]

I have no illusions that there is an equivalent to HBT for commercial brewers, but does anyone have any suggestions where I might turn for guidance?

There sure is:

http://discussions.probrewer.com/forumdisplay.php?29-ProBrewer-Message-Board

 

[DNW]

Awesome, thanks!

 

[wailingguitar]

If you are thinking about doing this, contact a local brewer and as if you can do some volunteer work or even get a part time position doing something in a brewery so you can see how it operates, get as much time with the boots on as you possibly can… try to take at least a short course from Siebel's or one of the other schools and a Business of Brewing class as well, several brewing schools as well as places like Auburn University offer such courses. I am not saying you can't succeed without doing those things, but 25yrs in the industry tells me you would be in a better place if you did, I have seen too many places fail needlessly.

 

[DNW]

If you are thinking about doing this, contact a local brewer and as if you can do some volunteer work or even get a part time position doing something in a brewery so you can see how it operates, get as much time with the boots on as you possibly can… try to take at least a short course from Siebel's or one of the other schools and a Business of Brewing class as well, several brewing schools as well as places like Auburn University offer such courses. I am not saying you can't succeed without doing those things, but 25yrs in the industry tells me you would be in a better place if you did, I have seen too many places fail needlessly.

Great ideas. It makes sense that there are classes, but I wasn't aware of them. Will definitely check them out. We do have a few craft brewers around too, and if I decide that this is a viable option will see about getting some practical experience.

Thanks!

 

[bobeer]

yea check out probrewer.com and def see if you can volunteer at a local brewery. If your state allows contract brewing it's another option to get started. In my state it was just made legal a couple years ago and there have been a lot of nano startups around. It's a way to start a brewery without all the startup costs of getting a 7+ bbl brewhouse. There are a couple 1 bbl nano's around here that just brew several times a week and can keep up with the demand and they seem to be doing well. A lot of it just depends on your area so make sure to do a lot of research to come up with the best business plan for your situation. Joining the american brewers association is helpful too. You can get a lot of industry reports that are helpful in forming your business plan. I also want to open my own brewery... there's a ton of hoops to jump through and lots of research that needs to be done in order to be successful. Good luck, keep us posted!!

 

[DNW]

If your state allows contract brewing it's another option to get started. In my state it was just made legal a couple years ago and there have been a lot of nano startups around. It's a way to start a brewery without all the startup costs of getting a 7+ bbl brewhouse.

I saw reference to that on PB, will check that out as an option as well. One advantage I have is that I already own property and a building that would probably work very well for a brewery - even one larger than I really envision, so that is one hurdle that might be bypassed.

There are a couple 1 bbl nano's around here that just brew several times a week and can keep up with the demand and they seem to be doing well.

Maybe I just don't know, but it seems to me (based on back of the napkin COMS calcs) that you really need to have a at least a 15 bbl, and more likely 30+ bbl brewhouse to make any money* in the best of circumstances, unless you are going to be simply a brewpub (not that there is anything "simple" about it), but running a restaurant that happens to make beer is not my kind of thing.

*not that I intend to get "rich" of this venture, but if I wanted to do something "just for fun" I'd stick with homebrewing. It's got to pay the bills, and me, to make it worth while.

 

[bobeer]

Maybe I just don't know, but it seems to me (based on back of the napkin COMS calcs) that you really need to have a at least a 15 bbl, and more likely 30+ bbl brewhouse to make any money* in the best of circumstances, unless you are going to be simply a brewpub (not that there is anything "simple" about it), but running a restaurant that happens to make beer is not my kind of thing.

*not that I intend to get "rich" of this venture, but if I wanted to do something "just for fun" I'd stick with homebrewing. It's got to pay the bills, and me, to make it worth while.

VA allows contract brewing. There's a few of the nano's here that will contract brew 7-15 bbls and distribute to surrounding bars. Then from there they make the step up to a bigger system. Just another idea if your state allows contract brewing.

 

[David_Trucks]

There's a few threads around here discussing one's jump into pro brewing. I personally follow the Muddy Creek one pretty closely - tons of information there.


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