9 replies to this topic

[jeffdj]

So far, I've had 2 friends that seriously wanted me to go in with them on opening a brewery. One lives on a local wine trail (where there are many wineries and few breweries that people tour). Another is a single successful guy who has lots of money who wants to get out of his career. Both times I declined, not wanting to make my hobby my job (plus I don't have the time nor money to invest in it). The more recent guy (who wants out of his career) is seriously looking into it. I told him I could give suggestions/advice from my perspective, and help out when needed, but I can't partner with him. One cool thing is that NY is proposing legislation to allow "farm breweries" which is akin to the farm wineries we have. This currently allows wineries to sell their wine on premises and it reduces much of the red tape needed to go through to start up. Anyways, anybody else have these proposals?

[jeffdj]

I may or may not be involved in something similar.

how'd it work out?

[Big Nake]

Remember that some people that get into it try to get the brewery off the ground by keeping their day job or keeping some other job active while the brewery is in progress. Of course this would mean that you would rarely see your wife/gf/so and/or kids and probably rarely sleep. I have always said that the best of all worlds would be something where you worked at a brewpub and got your feet wet (literally) and got a feel for it but none of the financial nonsense was on you. Or someone that you knew who wanted to open a restaurant/gastropub and wanted YOU to head the brewery but you were not financially obligated. Then when you felt comfortable with the process... branch out on your own.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Remember that some people that get into it try to get the brewery off the ground by keeping their day job or keeping some other job active while the brewery is in progress. Of course this would mean that you would rarely see your wife/gf/so and/or kids and probably rarely sleep. I have always said that the best of all worlds would be something where you worked at a brewpub and got your feet wet (literally) and got a feel for it but none of the financial nonsense was on you. Or someone that you knew who wanted to open a restaurant/gastropub and wanted YOU to head the brewery but you were not financially obligated. Then when you felt comfortable with the process... branch out on your own.

Sounds like a good plan.

[denny]

According to the BA, there are 915 breweries in the planning/beginning stages currently. About 40% of them make it through the first year.

[jeffdj]

It does sound like a good plan...but not for me at this time. I've got 2 young daughters involved in a bunch of activities, plus my job, so I'm not interested in taking on another responsibility. My friend who want out was looking at buying a restaurant, but it looks like its not gonna go. This would've been cool, because then he could add the brewery part and start out on a smaller scale and that would've been fun to help out with. Banks apparently are hesitant provide loans for restaurants though, so he's thinking of a start up business instead. I have to admit, it'd be nice to work in a successful brewery that I have some stake in, but the startup and getting known sounds like such a long and arduous process. I'll just keep brewing for myself and all my friends for now and enjoy seeing their reactions to the beers I put out.

[toonces]

me. imma pilot.

[SchwanzBrewer]

me. imma pilot.

You gotta brother that's a pulp wood cutter?

[Genesee Ted]

Jeff, point your friends my way bro!

[ncbeerbrewer]

I tried to pursue opening a brewery here in Raleigh with two other friends that were good fit for the business over the course of about a year and a half 2010-2011. We formulated a business plan, talked with investors, collected money, looked at different locations. The culmination for us while the craft beer market is great here in NC it was very difficult to find the needed funds to open the business with the idea of being successful. I decided this first attempt was not working out and we closed down the idea in fall of last year. So now brewing will continue to be my hobby. Who knows maybe someday I will attempt it again but for now I am happy brewing at home and working my non brewing job. It is a very difficult venture to get going but I surely learned a lot. I truly wish anyone luck in getting a brewery going though it is a true challenge.Mike