The craft brewing industry has seen tremendous growth in the United States over the past decade and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. If you’re considering entering this booming market, now is a great time to do it—but it’s essential to understand the industry before taking the plunge. Here’s what you need to know about America’s growing craft brewing industry.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to a 2019 report from Brewers Association, over 8,000 craft breweries are operating in the United States as of 2020—an increase of nearly 3,000 from just five years ago! This growth is due in part to increased consumer demand for craft beer and an abundance of new microbreweries popping up across the country. Craft breweries account for more than $76 billion in economic output yearly!
What’s Driving This Market?
So why are Americans so drawn to craft beer? According to a study by Nielsen CGA and Brewbound, people who drink craft beer tend to be younger and more adventurous with their beverage choices. They also enjoy trying new flavors and styles of beer and appreciate “the story behind each brand.” This suggests that branding plays a vital role in the success of any craft brewery—it’s not enough to have a great product; you need a unique story that also resonates with consumers.
A Growing Industry = More Competition
With 8,000+ craft breweries now operating in America, competition is fierce. If you want your brewery to stand out from the pack, you need to be prepared. You must have a robust business plan (including marketing strategies), secure funding sources (like banks or investors), and, most importantly, produce high-quality beer that stands out from your competitors! It also helps to differentiate yourself with unique branding or engaging events/experiences at your brewery location(s).
If you want to be a part of this vast industry, here’s how you can start.
Craft Brewery: Getting Started
Craft breweries are unique because it’s all about your product. Here’s how you can get started.
Invest in Equipment
The first step is to purchase the necessary equipment for your brewery. This includes everything from fermenters and boil kettles to kegs and bottling lines. You’ll also need specialty items like grain mills, mash tuns, and heat exchangers. You’ll also need safety options in the form of a valve system.
Valves are crucial in the fermenting and filtering process. Therefore, you’ll need a robust block valve system to handle high-pressure brewing applications. This can ensure that you get a consistent, high-quality beer every time.
Secure Funding
Before jumping into the craft brewing industry, you’ll need to secure funding for the equipment and other startup costs. This can come from various sources, including banks, investors, grants, and loans. Make sure you have a comprehensive business plan that outlines your goals and strategies before approaching potential lenders or investors.
Research & Develop Your Beer Recipe
Researching and developing a unique recipe that sets your beer apart from other local breweries. First, you will need to familiarize yourself with the different beer styles, their flavor profiles, and the various techniques used in brewing them. Once you know what kind of beer you want to brew, start experimenting with small batches until you find something that works for you. Be sure to take notes on each batch so you can replicate it later.
Design Your Brand
Once you have secured funding for your brewery, it’s time to start designing your brand identity. This includes creating logos and labels for your beer bottles, developing marketing materials such as flyers and posters to promote your brewery, and establishing a website where customers can learn more about your products and place orders online. You should also create a social media presence on sites such as Facebook and Twitter where customers can follow along with updates about new beers or events happening at the brewery.
Secure Your Profit
Lastly, you need to ensure that your brewery is profitable. This means you must understand the costs associated with brewing beer, such as ingredients, utilities, labor, and packaging materials. You should also set up a pricing structure for each of your beers so you can make a profit while still staying competitive in your market.
Once you’re up and running, it pays to create an effective marketing strategy and
America’s love affair with craft brewing shows no signs of waning anytime soon. So if you’re thinking about starting your own microbrewery business, now is the time! Remember that success requires dedication, innovation, and hard work—not just good beer. But, with proper planning and execution (and maybe even a bit of luck!), your craft brewery can become one of America’s most beloved brands for generations to come!
