If you’re thinking about opening your own brewery, you may be wondering where to start. There are a number of things to consider, including whether this is the right time for you to open and what kind of brewery would be best suited for your location. Here are some ideas for starting your own brewery:
1. Location
As you get ready to open your own brewery, it’s important to consider the location. The location can make or break the success of your business. Some things to consider when choosing a location for your brewery is visibility. How visible is the storefront? Does it stand out from other buildings? Is it on a busy street? Is it near other businesses? If you’re able to get a good view of your brewery from the street, that will attract more people as they drive by. If your business isn’t visible, people may never know it exists. What about accessibility and parking? You want to be accessible to customers so they can easily walk or drive up and enjoy your products. You also want them to feel safe while they’re visiting and walking around in your area. Make sure there’s plenty of parking available so people don’t have trouble finding an open spot when they arrive at your brewery. Also, check the location within town or city limits. You may want to think about being close enough to other businesses (such as bars) so that customers have options after visiting your business if they’re looking for something else nearby afterward, such as food or live entertainment options.
2. Cost
The cost of opening a brewery can be surprising to many entrepreneurs. The first step is to do some research and figure out how much money you need to get started. One of the general breakdowns of costs is equipment and setup. Brewery equipment can be expensive, especially if you are looking at high-tech or advanced brewing systems. The good news is that there are many ways to save money on these items, such as buying used equipment or renting it. The cost of ingredients depends on the type of beer being made and how much you want to brew at once. For example, if you are making an IPA with plenty of hops, expect to pay more for them than if you were making a lighter-style beer like a lager or ale. Also, consider the labor Costs. Since most breweries are small businesses, labor costs usually come from the owners themselves (or from their friends). Depending on what kind of brewery it is, labor costs may include everything from cleaning kegs to serving beer at events. In addition, employees may also need training before starting work in your new business, so plan accordingly!
3. Evaluate Your Skills and Time Commitment
While it’s possible to start a brewery with very little money, it will take time and effort to build up the brand recognition needed to succeed. Start by determining how much time you can devote to this venture each week or month so that you can realistically determine how long it will take before sales begin coming in consistently enough for you to make a living wage. Be sure to factor in any other responsibilities — such as childcare or eldercare — when estimating how much time you’ll be able to devote to your brewery.
4. Make Sure You Have a Good Business Plan
A good plan will outline all aspects of your brewery, from the location and size of the space to the type of equipment needed and how much it will cost. It should also include financial projections for the first year of operation, as well as marketing strategies for getting your name out there. Once you’ve written your business plan, add in all the costs associated with opening a brewery—equipment, licensing fees, permits, and any other expenses—so that you’ll know exactly how much money is needed to get started (and how long it will take). Also, you can customize beer cans or bottles with your own design or logo so customers know it’s yours!
5. Get Educated
Get educated on brewing techniques and ingredients by attending classes at local brew pubs or taking online courses. This will help you learn how to brew, how to develop recipes, and what ingredients to use. It will also help you understand how much work goes into each batch of beer and how long it takes to create a quality product. You can find these classes at most major cities’ local breweries or brewpubs.
Conclusion
Opening a brewery may seem daunting, but with a little planning and a lot of passion, it can be quite achievable for any ambitious entrepreneur. Going into business for yourself is never easy, but the payoff is well worth it.
