If you love beer lover, then you probably have an idea of what you want in a beer. If no brand on the market meets those needs, then you potentially have a product right there. Going from beer drinker to beer maker seems complicated, but it is possible nowadays. If you want to take that big step, here are some pointers to help:
Have a Recipe
Before getting technical, you really should have a recipe for your beer ready. It sounds easy, but most modern beers are the result of years of experimentation. You are going to have to do some of your own to get that perfect flavor. This includes getting the right ingredients. For example, Galaxy hops from Australia are a big favorite nowadays, but you might want alternatives.
Additionally, you’ll want to test the recipe out to ensure you have the final mix. Don’t limit the tests to yourself. Since you plan to sell this beer, then you need to test it out on the market to see if people like it. Finally, you need to learn how to size up the recipe so that you can make thousands of gallons of it instead of just a few liters.
Formulate a Business Plan
When you’ve got the recipe, it is time to decide on how exactly you are going to sell the beer. If you want to be unique, then you can go for a brewpub. This means that the beer s only sold in one location as part of your restaurant’s drink offerings. You can also sell the beer as a microbrewery, which only brews around 15,000 gallons, or as a local brewery, which will only sell to a small regional market. Having this plan will influence how you will build your brewing facilities and your distribution deals.
Build the Brewery
There are several components to building up your brewery. For one, you need a great location. Depending on your business plan, you might want to be in a commercial zone so that your brewpub can operate. Zoning requirements are different when you plan to brew and bottle beer for distribution on the local market. Besides location, you need to source the necessary brewing equipment. You’ll need to work with fabricators to build the stuff you need. You might also look for used equipment to get it cheap.
Ensure that Everything Is Legal
You do not want the law coming after you for brewing beer. You also don’t want any legal problems with your business. To avoid all that, you should sit down with a local business lawyer and ensure that you have all the necessary permits and licenses. This can include everything from permits to business licenses. Be thorough so that you won’t have to deal with any lawsuits and fines in the future.
Starting a brewery is the easiest it has been. These pointers should guide you through the initial hurdles, but there is still much work to be done. If you are serious about your brewing ambitions, you should take your first steps in the world of making beer now.