Microbrewery Handbook - Craft, Brew, and Build Your Own Microbrewery Success

An unprecedented guide to successfully start or grow a microbrewery or craft brewery in a much more competitive world.
 
Opening a microbrewery starts with, of course, making great beer. But that is just the beginning. Today's sophisticated patrons are offered an ever-increasing array of options. It's so much more than beer nowadays. Yes, great beer is essential, but to attract and hold on to a loyal customer base, you must create a sense of place. Do your research. Understand financing and cash flow. Know how to measure your success. A successful, well-run microbrewery knows how to hire the right employees--employees that will spread word of your business to friends, family, even total strangers, both on and off the clock. Marketing, branding, customer experience; they all matter. There are so many factors that directly and indirectly contribute to success, it may at times be overwhelming. The Microbrewery Handbook offers an extraordinary look at all of the facets of success in the industry. No matter if you are thinking about starting a new venture or are already operating your own microbrewery, this valuable book offers real-world advice and proven strategies to help you thrive in the competitive micro and craft brewing industry.
 
Focused on practical guidance, author D.C. Reeves distills his experience founding Perfect Plain Brewing Company in Pensacola, Florida into an engaging, up-to-date resource for microbrewers everywhere. Clearly showing readers what works in the industry and, just as importantly, what doesn't work, The Microbrewery Handbook:
* Helps you create unique, memorable experiences for your customers, your employees, and your city
* Includes coverage of the financial aspects of building and growing your business, such as banking, investment, and debt
* Shows you how to transform your business into a community anchor
* Offers suggestions on building an entire culture around your brand that promotes positivity and attracts the right kind of attention
* Shares personal stories and advice from a successful microbrew entrepreneur
* Includes interviews and insight with industry experts as well as owners of some of the nation's elite craft breweries including Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, Jeffrey Stuffings of Jester King, and Doug Resier of Burial Brewing
 
The Microbrewery Handbook: Craft, Brew, and Build Your Own Microbrewery Success is an indispensable, first-of-its-kind book for anyone in the micro and craft brewing industry.

List of contents

Foreword xi
 
Acknowledgments xiii
 
1. Before You Begin 1
 
2. How to Use This Book 8
 
Part I: The Basics 13
 
3. State of the Industry - for Now 15
 
4. Focus on Your Taproom First 20
 
5. How to Differentiate Your Brewery 28
 
6. Industry Q&A: Dogfish Head CEO Sam Calagione 33
 
Part II: Building Your Microbrewery 37
 
7. Tips to Start Your Business Plan 39
 
8. Figuring Out Your Financials 42
 
9. Finance Q&A with Bhramari Brewing CEO Audra Gaiziunas 52
 
10. Finding the Dollars to Get Started 60
 
11. Sizing up the Brewery 67
 
12. The Wonderful World of Permitting and Zoning 72
 
13. What to Ask Your Architect and Contractors 76
 
14. Best Practices Q&A: Jester King Founder Jeffrey Stuffings 81
 
Part III: The Keys to Success: Leadership and Company Culture 93
 
15. The Start to a Successful Brewery: Keys to Strong Leadership 95
 
16. How to Hire Well and Eliminate Turnover in Three Steps 99
 
17. How to Have Happy Employees 111
 
18. Common Barriers to a Strong Company Culture 120
 
19. Employee Engagement Q&A: Quint Studer 127
 
Part IV: Creating an Incredible Customer Experience 139
 
20. Customer Service Tips 141
 
21. How to Program Your Taproom to Build Revenue 146
 
22. Keys to Improving Day-to-Day Taproom Operations 156
 
23. The Value of Finding and Preserving Mentorship 164
 
24. Best Practices Q&A: Burial Beer Co. Co-Founder Doug Reiser 168
 
Part V: Getting the Word Out: Branding, Social Media, and Public Relations 181
 
25. Why Branding Matters 183
 
26. Tips for Improving Your Social Media Presence 186
 
27. How to Get the Local Media on Your Side 195
 
Part VI: Capturing the Heart of Your Brewery: How to Love Your Community 199
 
28. Love Your Community, and It Will Love You Back 201
 
29. Community Q&A: Creature Comforts Brewing Co.'s Matt Stevens 206
 
Appendix 1. Perfect Plain Brewing Co.: Manage Up Employee Questionnaire 215
 
Appendix 2. Perfect Plain Brewing Co.: New Hire Checklist 219
 
Appendix 3. Core Values and Standards of Behavior 227
 
Glossary 233
 
About the Author 237
 
Index 239

About the author

DC Reeves is co-founder and CEO of Perfect Plain Brewing Co., one of Florida's top microbrewery success stories. DC learned about entrepreneurship and achieving financial success by building a great place to work, producing a top-notch product, and passionately focusing on customer satisfaction. In its first year of operations, Perfect Plain Brewing Co. became one of the busiest taprooms in the state. Since opening Perfect Plain, DC has become a mentor and consultant to prospective and current small business owners looking to start and grow their own dream. Visit www.perfectplain.com for more info.

Summary

An unprecedented guide to successfully start or grow a microbrewery or craft brewery in a much more competitive world.

Opening a microbrewery starts with, of course, making great beer. But that is just the beginning. Today's sophisticated patrons are offered an ever-increasing array of options. It's so much more than beer nowadays. Yes, great beer is essential, but to attract and hold on to a loyal customer base, you must create a sense of place. Do your research. Understand financing and cash flow. Know how to measure your success. A successful, well-run microbrewery knows how to hire the right employees--employees that will spread word of your business to friends, family, even total strangers, both on and off the clock. Marketing, branding, customer experience; they all matter. There are so many factors that directly and indirectly contribute to success, it may at times be overwhelming. The Microbrewery Handbook offers an extraordinary look at all of the facets of success in the industry. No matter if you are thinking about starting a new venture or are already operating your own microbrewery, this valuable book offers real-world advice and proven strategies to help you thrive in the competitive micro and craft brewing industry.

Focused on practical guidance, author D.C. Reeves distills his experience founding Perfect Plain Brewing Company in Pensacola, Florida into an engaging, up-to-date resource for microbrewers everywhere. Clearly showing readers what works in the industry and, just as importantly, what doesn't work, The Microbrewery Handbook:
* Helps you create unique, memorable experiences for your customers, your employees, and your city
* Includes coverage of the financial aspects of building and growing your business, such as banking, investment, and debt
* Shows you how to transform your business into a community anchor
* Offers suggestions on building an entire culture around your brand that promotes positivity and attracts the right kind of attention
* Shares personal stories and advice from a successful microbrew entrepreneur
* Includes interviews and insight with industry experts as well as owners of some of the nation's elite craft breweries including Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, Jeffrey Stuffings of Jester King, and Doug Resier of Burial Brewing

The Microbrewery Handbook: Craft, Brew, and Build Your Own Microbrewery Success is an indispensable, first-of-its-kind book for anyone in the micro and craft brewing industry.

Product details

• Authors: REEVES, Darcy Reeves, DC Reeves
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.11.2019
• EAN: 9781119598046
• ISBN: 978-1-119-59804-6
• No. of pages: 272
• Subjects: Guides > Law, job, finance; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Chemical engineering; Social sciences, law, business > Business > Management; Brauerei, Business & management, Klein- und Mittelbetrieb, Wirtschaft u. Management, Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Klein- u. mittelständische Unternehmen u. Existenzgründung, Mikrobrauerei