Whether it’s grainy, hoppy, breadlike, or smoky, beer is amazing and it has been gracing the tables of individuals for hundreds of years. As a matter of fact, at one point beer was much more popular than water.
This tells us how important beer is in our culture. A lot of beer enthusiasts decide to open their own breweries and bring their craft beers to the fridge shelves of fellow beer lovers.
That being said, starting a whole brewery business from scratch is no easy feat. But, with the right guidance, the sky’s the limit and your dreams of becoming a widely known brewmaster can become a reality.
Be pragmatic and plan it
To have a general idea of what the brewery startup costs will be, it’s best to create a business plan, that relies on specialised financial planning software. In this document, you will list all your plans regarding your business including the vital steps you will follow to the path of success.
Your document must include a summary of how your business will obtain profits, how it will be marketed, and much more. If you are not an expert business plan writer, you can always use online templates to help you out.
It’s also worth mentioning that the business plan is modified as you go on with your business operations. Your business plan can help you get the right funding required for a successful startup.
Pinpoint the selling point
Each and every business has something unique which can be used to create a completely one-of-a-kind experience for the customers.
This might be your unique beer flavor or your beer packaging or even your bottle design. Your brand’s name and logo can contribute to making your brand unique as well. For instance, certain energy drinks are making fortune by the day just because of catchy slogans and memorable logos.
Obtain the right permits
In order to operate legally you will need to obtain all the mandatory licenses and permits. Some of those include brewers’ bonds, state liquor licenses, registration with the TTB, and so on.
Besides obtaining your Employer Identification Number, you will have to register your company as a legal entity. You have a lot of options but before you make the choice, make sure to consult with a lawyer and have them outline the best course of action for you.
Get the right equipment
To operate successfully, you will need various equipment for your brewery. The absolute musts are refrigeration units, fermentation tanks, kegs, bottles, fitting and valves, etc.
Furthermore, if you do decide that you will serve beer on location, it will be wise if you decorate the place accordingly. You can draw inspiration from classic breweries or try to develop your own style so that your place is more recognizable.
Market your way to the top
No business has made it big without the help of marketing and the exposure it brings if done correctly. One of the most effective ways to promote your business without having to break the bank is through social media channels.
You can use Instagram and Facebook to reach out to a large group of audience effectively and ensure that your beer flies off the shelves fast. But as your beer sales grow, you will have to think about another aspect, such as distribution.
Consider distribution
If you decide to sell your craft beer at a certain point, you will have to prepare yourself for such a difficult task. You can either distribute beer yourself or ask a distribution company to take care of the tasks for you.
If you do decide to take care of all the distribution-related tasks yourself, bear in mind that it might be a bit costly and time-consuming. So, if you are not financially prepared to make that leap, wait until your beer sales reach significant milestones.
Bottom line
By now, you should have an idea of how you can start your own brewery business effectively. That being said, don’t forget to enter the beer industry prepared by crafting a winning business plan.
As your business grows, start thinking about how you can bring your product to a larger market and consider distribution. Lastly, to ensure success, consider marketing on all the major social media channels, and don’t forget to build your brand organically.
