Contract brewing can make a lot of sense for startups, growing breweries, larger breweries with extra tank space, and for breweries looking to downsize or offload production stress. However, information about how to get started and understand the ins and outs of this creative business approach is really difficult to find. Join us for a soup-to-nuts conversation with panelists who have successfully navigated the contract brewing path, either as host or client, including two who have done both. We’ll cover what to look for in a contract brewing arrangement, as well as what to look out for, tips and tricks for finding the best fit in a brewing host or contractee, how to be a good contract brewing partner yourself, cost efficiencies, what’s worth it and what isn’t, risks, challenges, rewards, and more. Bring your questions and be prepared to think outside of the traditional brewing box. You’ll walk away with a handle on what’s possible, what’s smart, and how to go about making it all happen.

Referenced Resources

• CBC 2024 Seminar: No Brewery, No Beer, No Problem
• Playlist: Contract Brewing: Production Best Practices
• Legal Insights: Alternating Proprietorships for Breweries
• CBC 2022 Seminar: Contract Brewing: Legal, Accounting, and Excise Tax Aspects

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of both the contract brewing host and the contract brewing client
• Walk away with a checklist of equipment, staffing, and other operational needs
• Gain insights into the process of vetting potential contract brewing clients or hosts, including knowing where to be flexible and where to stand firm in your requirements
• Understand the expectations of clients and hosts in terms of quality assurance and control (QA/QC), ingredients, recipe design, packaging, storage, and more
• Delve into the investment in materials, ingredients, and other financial and operational essentials to determine if this path makes sense for you