The previous decade was home to an unprecedented boom in the craft beer industry. What was once a niche industry at best now seems like every other person was producing their own variety of beer – whether it be Blonde Ale, Imperial Porter, or India Pale Ale.
The United States has been at the forefront of this growth. According to Statista, there are over 8,000 breweries currently in operation in the US. Yet while experts are predicting this trend in craft beer to remain relevant for the foreseeable future, a would-be brewer requires the answer to one important question: Has the craft brewery business passed them by at this stage?
With so many microbreweries around producing beverages that feature all kinds of flavors, it is a question worth asking. The following article will explore some of the main points you need to cover if you are to start a craft brewery business in 2021.
Do you have the budget to start a microbrewery?
As you would expect, starting a microbrewery is not cheap. According to an article by Deputy, US residents would be looking at spending around $250,000 to $500,000 to start a microbrewery and operate it for three months.
Of course, there are various methods you can implement to reduce costs. With custom float switches, for example, you accurately measure the temperature, ingredients, and levels of your brew. This means the type of precision and automation you require can be attained at a relatively affordable price.
Yet you cannot cut down on expenditure in all areas of brewing, sadly. As a result, you still require a six-figure budget to get your craft beer dreams off the ground.
Do you have the right idea for your craft beer?
At the heart of it, every craft beer variety is, well, beer – that much is clear. However, there’s no point in simply churning out a generic beer to sell. Not only is that market covered entirely by the major brands that line supermarket shelves and populate bars across the world, but craft beer customers are not on the hunt for generic brews. They want something different. They want a drink experience they have never sampled before.
With this in mind, you must have a strong and original idea in mind for your craft beer. This is going to be difficult due to the vast amount of craft beers already out for sale, but you need something that is going to stand out from the crowd.
Can you acquire the right support network?
To sell a successful craft beer product, you need to find a distributor. While it is possible to sell your beer directly to customers via a brewpub, the big profits are only available to those that can get their products to retailers.
To achieve this, you will have to do the necessary research about local regulations and the distributors you could work with potentially. Then when it comes to working with a distributor, you will want to make sure they have the right facilities and connections to turn your craft beer into a success.
