Which styles to start selling?

[GVassao]

Hey everybody

I am just starting selling my beer, unofficially. I have a 16 gallon/month production, and this whole endeavor is just for feeling the market around here and paying my investments in ingredients (if anyone wonders, I'm in Brazil).

Anyway, my partners and I have decided to pick up four styles of our brew to start up selling as our "perennial" products. But which ones to pick?

We have already narrowed it down to 6 recipes: Dry Stout, Pale Ale, Hefe-Weizen, Belgian Golden Strong Ale, American IPA and Irish Red Ale. Which of these do you prefer, and would buy from a non-official home-brewery?

Thanks for helping =)

 

[barneygumble]

Wow. That operation would be so shut down so fast in the U.S.! And it seems that 16 gallon/month is very small for commercial operations. But...

I would want to brew the styles that would please the local clients most. Which styles are most popular in Sao Paulo?

 

[Airborneguy]

While most of us probably wouldn't buy from a home brewery (I wouldn't. Sort of pointless when you're a homebrewer yourself), I'm sure you'll be able to find some customers who don't brew their own. As Barney stated, what are the popular local brews in your area? You'll probably want to start with a few beers that are similar to the locally available and popular commercial beers, then start working in the more "exotic" stuff for your area. If you live in an area where craft brew of all styles is already popular, then check out the local watering holes to see what they are moving the most of.

 

[BirdBrau]

The Pale Ale and American IPA are both good standard beers to have.

Also, isn't Brazil somewhat overrun by BMC type beers? Maybe something like a Kolsch/cream ale would be good to spark some interest from locals.

Good luck!

 

[GVassao]

Thanks for the advice.

Yes, Brazil is mostly overrun by BMC type beers, but there is hope for us! Some specialists say we are in the same spot U.S. was in the 80's: we have some microbreweries, and good ones, specially in the southeast and south of the country, nt they still represent under 2% of the brazilian beer market.

I think I am sticking with the Pale Ale, the Hefe-Weizen, the American IPA and the Dry Stout. They complete each other in terms of color, ABV and bitterness and are fairly popular styles.

And Airborneguy, I beg to differ from your opinion. I purchase a lot of home-produced ales and really enjoy that. Even though I can produce similar beer, I can't create the same recipes of some of my friends, and sometimes don't want to or don't have the time. I'd buy your production if I had a chance!

Anyone else's got some good thoughts to share?