Ever found yourself wondering how to start a brewery?
There are several big steps and a lot of work, but it can be an incredible experience. Your efforts will be worth every minute when you open your doors to the first paying customers.
Stop asking, “How do I start a brewery?” and get started today with these expert tips.
How to Start a Brewery
The first thing you need to do is make a plan. Be as detailed as possible with how much things will cost, what you will need, what you want to make, where you want to be, and more.
The more detailed and explicit your plan, the easier it will be to execute your vision.
You need to have a name and a concept for your brewery, as well as an idea of what you will serve and who needs to be there to serve it. Starting a brewery isn’t a solo act, so find your team early and they can help you with the next steps.
Back to Business
Once you have the fun part of planning your dream brewery, you have to think about the business side of things.
You need to form an LLC or corporation so you own the rights and are an official business. You’ll also need to register for taxes and open a business bank account specifically for your brewery.
You may need to secure funding to help you with the start-up fees. Look at your plan and what kinds of costs you have to cover so those you’re asking to invest know exactly where their money is going.
License to Party
When you’re planning to serve alcohol, you have to have licenses and permits. You may need local permits and state permits, and what you need will depend on where you plan to open your brewery. You might need specific paperwork completed to let you serve food or do tastings.
Make sure you read the fine print for your area and get all of this paperwork out of the way. There would be nothing worse than getting shut down after opening because you didn’t have the proper permits.
This is one of the tips for starting a brewery that might fall lower on the list, but don’t forget it.
Supplies and Materials
Once you have all of the above rolling, start to plan your menu and what you will serve. Do you have the location ready or do you need to do some work with the building first?
What type of supplies do you need? Do you need to get a beer fob, kitchen supplies, napkins, food? Starting a business requires a lot of planning ahead, so know what you need before you open the door.
Branding and Marketing
Once you’ve got your location and you have set a general date for opening, or even a soft opening, it’s a good idea to start a website and look into advertising.
It’s very challenging to make a profit your first year, let alone break even. Don’t overlook marketing and branding to help your name get out into the community so locals can show their support.
Ready? Go Get Brewing!
When it comes to how to start a brewery, there are a lot of small steps, but you can get it done. Then you can stop asking how to start your own brewery, and start enjoying owning your own brewery.
Write out a schedule for when certain things need to get done so you don’t miss deadlines or due dates. Stay organized and you’ll stay on course to opening.
And if you found this article helpful, keep browsing our site for more good tips.
