We all know that raw ingredient and packaging material costs are increasing. In a dramatic market that continues to be rocked by inflation and tariffs, contracting for your raw ingredients can provide price stability and save you money. Long-term agreements, buying direct from the farmer, and purchasing groups can also offer some savings. In addition to saving money, contracting hops and other ingredients can also improve product consistency by guaranteeing the same ingredient all year long. Finally, it can also improve beer quality by allowing you to choose the specific ingredients that meet the flavor profiles you’re looking for.

In this session, learn the basics of ingredient forecasting and contract options, including what to do when you over-contract and when and how to adjust a contract. The presentation also covers some foundational strategies to help you plan your production and better forecast your costs over the year. If you’re contract-curious or new to contracting, you’re sure to gain some new insights that will give you the confidence to contract hops, malt, cans, and other materials.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss how to forecast raw ingredient needs
• Get to know the basics of contracting hops and malt
• Learn about long term agreements and purchasing groups
• Get strategies for adjusting contracts
• Explore other options than contracting that can improve raw material consistency