Starting a micro brewery...
Discussion
...something that has increasingly been on my mind for a fair while now.
I've searched the web somewhat for resources that will help me make an informed choice, and there are a fair few hits. But some of the main guides seem to be North American and I'm guessing that both health and safety issues and the market are very different out there.
Anyone got any top-tip sites/guides/handbooks on starting a microbrewery?
TIA...
I've searched the web somewhat for resources that will help me make an informed choice, and there are a fair few hits. But some of the main guides seem to be North American and I'm guessing that both health and safety issues and the market are very different out there.
Anyone got any top-tip sites/guides/handbooks on starting a microbrewery?
TIA...
Skoff, you're one step ahead of me as I've only ever brewed with my dear ol' Dad - many, many years ago. But I love the stuff, and get annoyed at both beer that I don't like and poor quality beer.
So I intend to start with homebrewing to get some beer to my taste (and to that of friends, collegues etc) then think about it as a part-time moving to full time career.
I'm a member of CAMRA so a local meet might be a good idea. I was also thinking of seeing if I can get some pointers from an exsiting micro, but I'm not sure how competitive the industry is, despite all the SIBA stuff.
BTW Any good resource you can point me at for starting the from-scratch home brew would be appreciated.
And yes, it would probably be more like hard work than fun but I need to look into it....
So I intend to start with homebrewing to get some beer to my taste (and to that of friends, collegues etc) then think about it as a part-time moving to full time career.
I'm a member of CAMRA so a local meet might be a good idea. I was also thinking of seeing if I can get some pointers from an exsiting micro, but I'm not sure how competitive the industry is, despite all the SIBA stuff.
BTW Any good resource you can point me at for starting the from-scratch home brew would be appreciated.
And yes, it would probably be more like hard work than fun but I need to look into it....
bloater27 said:
Bowman's are an excellent bunch, spent a fair bit of time chatting to them recently, although not as much time as I did trying to find the place
Ah. I hope to be going with a publican who knows them well. And has offered to drive, so that I can do some, ermm, market research. Despite the fact I've tried and enjoyed all of their beers I find I have to accept the offer 
Disagree about the GBBF. It should be centralised so that the logistics can be planned with a degree of certainty, and forecasts can be based on a stable set of metrics.
However, additional events as large would be nice. The Peterborogh one, which I haven't managed to attend, is supposed to be a stonking event.
The thing about micro brew beers is that if they taste like homebrew, they don't survive. Natural selection. I hope that if and when I start I will be a survivor!
However, additional events as large would be nice. The Peterborogh one, which I haven't managed to attend, is supposed to be a stonking event.
The thing about micro brew beers is that if they taste like homebrew, they don't survive. Natural selection. I hope that if and when I start I will be a survivor!
DXBGT3 said:
A group of us from uni invested for our best mate to setup a micro-brewery in London. Check out www.sambrooksbrewery.co.uk - has been really succesful to date and Wandle Ale, our signature whole hop beer is selling really well. My mate had zero experience of brewing (we're all good at tasting!) to start with as he used to be an accountant. He does brewery tours ath e brewery in Battersea which is a good way to get an idea of what it involves
I thought the David Welsh (ex of Ringwood Brewery) was heavily involved in this venture? Not that I have a problem with that, but if it is so your mate has had a bit of a head start in terms of knowledge. Damned lucky!CR0X said:
I was an exhibition in Europe last week, and we are going to set up (alongside our glass division) a website dedicated to selling startup machinery, including volumetric fillers for beer (2 or 4 head fillers), cappers, labellers etc.
If anyone is interested, drop me a PM.
I will be watching with interest, and will hopefully be interested. I've had some initial talks with a local micro who has been going for a year, so recognise that there are a fair few steps to go through before I actually get down to brewing.If anyone is interested, drop me a PM.
It is still a matter of when and not if
DXBGT3 said:
T40ORA said:
I thought the David Welsh (ex of Ringwood Brewery) was heavily involved in this venture? Not that I have a problem with that, but if it is so your mate has had a bit of a head start in terms of knowledge. Damned lucky!
Yep, my mate bumped into David at a wedding and overtime he came on as our biggest shareholder, which obviously helped a huge amount, no doubt. BTW Wandle is a nice beer; I've had it a few times, the last at the Woking beer festival.
I definitely second that! ANd in a couple of years time, there may be one down here too..... Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff