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Business Plan Resources for Breweries

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I started with the BA in 2014. My goal is to engage with as many members as possible, help you to maximize your membership benefits, and act as the resident resource-Sherpa when you need some guidance through the mountain of information!

In my free time I like to sip on IPAs and pilsners while playing bass loudly or petting my dogs. I openly welcome pup-pictures and all heavy/loud/noisy music suggestions.

Many of the discussions we have at the Brewers Association (BA) revolve around resources and ideas that are specific to the beer industry. We focus on technical brewing, acquiring the right ingredients, building a brand, marketing beers, passing OSHA inspections, and complying with the TTB, among other things. Yet, there is a foundation to breweries, brewpubs, and taprooms alike, that is the common thread of all businesses. That foundation is a well-constructed business plan.

Learn How to Create and Maintain Your Business Plan

I’m often asked what business planning resources the BA provides, and I point members to our production statistics , benchmarking surveys , insight & analysis articles , and a myriad of Craft Brewers Conference (CBC)  presentations covering specific business-related topics. Additionally, Brewers Publications offers The Brewers Association’s Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery , which includes guidelines for business planning and a sample business plan. Despite all this information, though, I still hear questions about the root of the business plan – where to start and how to create one. So, I’ve compiled a handful of resources to help breweries create and maintain a business plan.

We all have preferences on how we digest educational materials. So, the information below comes in multiple formats from a variety of sources. These resources are helpful whether you are looking to create your first business plan or simply want to update your current one. A business plan is a living document that should be updated regularly, rather than a ‘one and done’ springboard for prospective businesses. This is by no means a comprehensive list of resources on this topic, as there are hundreds of them available. Rather, it’s a jumping off point for members who want to establish and expand their knowledge. These resources can help us establish and refresh business plans, in addition to highlighting components we wish to explore further.

Business Plan Resources:

  • Writing Your Brewery Business Plan  is a step-by-step review of the necessary elements within a business plan and why those things are important.
  • Successfully Planning, Starting and Operating a Nano Brewery  offers a broad overview of the planning process with highlights on fundamental considerations for both launching and growing a brewery.
  • The Nuts & Bolts of Great Business Plans – An often cited (and very comprehensive) guide to the broader and finer points of creating your business plan. This 30-page PDF document is updated yearly and provides excellent details on the what and why of each section in the outline.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a great general resource for businesses. They offer a step-by-step tool that explains each section of the business plan template, along with a place to input your specific business information along the way.
  • SCORE , a nonprofit resource partner with the SBA, has a variety of resources geared toward creating business plans and starting small businesses. This includes a 60-minute webinar on One Page Business Plans , an on-demand Developing a Business Plan course , articles about business plans , and even mentorship opportunities .
  • For those who prefer educational videos, BizPlanTemplate.com offers a free business plan template paired with a 10-minute tutorial explaining each section.
  • If learning on the go is of interest, scribendi.com offers a very succinct podcast outlining How to Write a Business Plan . For those starting from scratch, this is a good primer for the deeper dive into more detailed templates.

Don’t Forget to Use Your Community

As a final note, I’d be remiss not to mention the Brewers Association Forum . This is an excellent place to ask questions and engage with fellow brewery owners as you create and revise your business plans. While each brewery (and therefore business plan) will be unique, there is much to be learned from those around us. I am constantly reminded of the community mindset amongst many breweries, and this a fantastic way to connect and share resources with one another.

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how to write a business plan for a brewery

How To Write A Comprehensive Brewery Business Plan

Starting a successful brewery is a big dream for many. To achieve this dream, you need to start with a solid brewery business plan.

Your business plan includes everything you need to organize before opening your business, from your business goals and operations to your brewery name, beer menu, and everything in-between. Getting this plan right is one of the most important steps toward your business's success.

In this guide, we’ll outline everything craft breweries should include in their business plan template.

What is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a document that lays out your entire strategy for starting a brewery. This includes business objectives, operations, and how your brewery will be profitable and viable. A business plan is a roadmap you follow when setting up your new venture.

Your business plan must include details of how you will set up your brewery and what you aim to achieve. Doing this helps you prepare for the new challenge and know what to expect throughout the entrepreneurship journey.

Why Do You Need a Brewery Business Plan?

Your business plan ensures you open up your brewery as smoothly and efficiently as possible. It helps you avoid surprises along the way, getting your establishment off the ground by following all the proper steps. A well-thought-out plan will boost the chances of your brewery’s success in a big way.

A brewery business plan is also necessary if you need to secure funding. Nobody will put money behind a new venture without a clear plan on how it will operate and what kind of revenue and profits are projected.

starting a brewery business plan

What to Include in Your Brewery Business Plan

There’s a lot to consider when you write a brewery business plan. To help you out, here are some of the essential features to include in this document:

Business Description Section

Start with an executive summary of your business. This should be a description with the basic outline of what your brewery business will look like, what it will do, and why it exists. The executive summary should include details like your brewery name, its purpose for being, and why you want to start it.

Also include the type of brewery you plan to start and the proposed size. Do you imagine a lively beer hall, a country brewery, a trendy gastropub? A clear concept and vision to work toward are essential. You should also include goals that you want to achieve.

The craft brewery industry is highly competitive, so it’s vital that your brewery stands out. Make sure to include your mission statement, what will make your brewery unique, and why this is important.

Business Operations Section

A vital part of the planning process is outlining exactly how your business will operate. When creating a plan for your craft brewery, try to detail exactly how the establishment will work - from sourcing ingredients to selling beer to customers.

Will you have a restaurant in your brewery? Will you sell beer to liquor stores, or will it only be available to consume on-site? If you do sell beer off premises, will you have sales reps? How far around the country do you plan to stock your beer? These are all important things to consider in your business model.

brewery business plan template

When you write a brewery business plan, include every detail of your operations. Think about transporting your beer, whether your brews will change over seasons, whether you will bottle or can your brews, and so on.

Management and Team Overview

A key part of your brewery business plan is outlining the people behind your business. You will need to have a plan for staffing and management requirements. Who will be in charge of which jobs? Having a clear management and staffing team structure will help you understand your brewery operations realistically.

You will certainly need a head brewer and a general manager. Depending on your business model, you might also need a chef/kitchen manager, a sales manager, and various support staff roles, such as assistant brewers, cooks, bartenders, and wait staff.

As a brewery owner, outline why you are the right fit for the job. Outline your brewery-related qualifications, experience, and interests. Repeat this for any other management positions that you have secured.

Menu Overview

If your brewery is going to be a success, it will need a great product. Carefully planned menus are vital parts of all breweries' business plans. Ideally, you should have already perfected your recipes and have some sample products and home brews available if you need to convince investors.

As a brewery, start with your beverage menu. Outline precisely what brews you will produce.

Will you have a flagship beer that your brewery is known for? Will you offer seasonal or limited-edition beers?

brewery marketing

Make sure that the style of beers you brew makes sense to your location and target market. Having tried-and-tested recipes for your beers is essential. You will also need to know exactly what equipment you require for brewing all of your beers.

Then you will probably also need a food or snack menu. Some breweries are known for their food, while others serve light snacks to compliment their beers. Figure out a sample menu for your brewery and match it to your brewery concept. Will you do beer pairings? Will your brewery have a theme (like German or all-American BBQ)?

Again, testing this out and getting feedback on it is crucial. You will also need to make sure you understand the exact kitchen and equipment requirements for your menu.

You might be an amazing brewer with a killer business idea, but choosing the wrong location could be the downfall of your brewery. Location plays a massive role in the success of any brewery so try to be as specific about your location as possible in your microbrewery business plan. Take the time to carefully research different location options.

Ideally, you should open your brewery in an area with minimal competition and high demand. When choosing your business address, look for features like foot traffic, visibility, parking, and a great view. Some breweries are opened as “destination” breweries and could be in a remote or unique area that people want to travel to. Others do well in busy areas full of hungry and thirsty customers, like tourist destinations or shopping malls.

brewery location

Of course, your brewery space will also need to be large enough to brew beer and seat customers or do tastings. However, some breweries have separate premises for brewing and serving the public.

Market Research

No business plan summary is complete without in-depth local market research. You need to understand your market and target customers. Use this to provide evidence of why your brewery idea will be viable. This should include an analysis of market trends, competitors, and customer segments.

Do some detailed competitive analysis of the area you plan to open your brewery. Understand who your main competitors will be and how your business will be different from them.

You will also need to understand the demand for a brewery. Asking locals and even sending out questionnaires can help here. You could also try to do a market or a “pop-up” brewery event in the area, partnering with another local business. This will help you understand demand and how people react to your craft beers.

Another central bit of market research is to create a detailed target customer persona. This should include your ideal clients' demographics, interests, income, age, and other relevant details.

Your competitive analysis section should also cover the general market price of craft beer and food in your area. When you conduct research, try to visit as many direct competitors as possible to understand how they operate, what they do well, and what you can do better.

brewery market research

A thorough market analysis will give you a good idea of the scale your brewery should operate at, who your potential customers are, and what new markets you could tap into.

Business Structure and Licenses

Outlining how your business will be structured is an integral part of any business plan. This needs to include who the business owners will be.

Some business structures include a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a limited liability company (LLC), and a corporation (C Corp). Choose the structure of your business based on how many people will be involved, how big the company will be, and how it will operate. The proper legal structure can have some significant personal and tax benefits.

When starting a brewery, include a plan for all of the licenses and legalities involved in the business. You will need permits for trading, selling food, and for brewing and selling beer. The specific requirements will differ between states. Contact your local government as early as you can to understand the specific legal requirements for your brewery.

Make sure to include the application process for these licenses in your timeline. You will also need to ensure these licenses, including a brewery license, are possible based on your business location.

Equipment and Setup

There’s a lot that goes into a brewery. Part of your brewery business plan is figuring out all the necessary equipment. This should be related to your menu, your brewery size, location, and how you plan to operate.

brewery equipement

When planning your brewing equipment, consider the volume of beer you need to brew and have a clear plan for how you will be able to sell this. Your brewing capacity needs to be just right in terms of your business demand. If your capacity is too large, it will result in wastage. If it is too small, your brewing process won’t be able to hit demand, and you will miss out on revenue.

Beyond your brewing equipment, you might need kitchen equipment, a bar, tables and chairs, booths, glasses, a POS system , a coffee machine… the list goes on. Try to list every piece of equipment required for starting your business - from your mash tun right down to your coasters. All of these items need to be planned and accounted for. Getting this accurate is necessary for understanding what our realistic startup costs will be.

This might be quite a stressful part of our business plan, but it’s one of the most important things for all startups and small businesses to get right. Your brewery business plan must include accurate startup costs, predicted income statements, and financial projections. Quite simply, you will need to establish:

  • How much capital is required to get the brewery started
  • How much it will cost to operate the brewery
  • How much revenue you can realistically expect to make each month (and year) after starting the business
  • How much profit you will be able to generate

brewery financials

It seems simple enough, but a lot goes into this. You will need a clear profit and loss statement, realistic cash flow statements, and a pricing strategy that will work.

You also need to consider your cash reserves (you might not make a profit for a few months) and your stock and inventory. There is also packaging, software tools (accounting software, POS software, restaurant management software , etc.), payroll, and production costs. Let’s not forget to consider loan repayments, insurance, and other ongoing expenses.

If you pitch to potential investors or want to secure bank loans, you will need your financial plan to be absolutely watertight. This is what determines how viable your business idea is.

How will you attract customers once your business is open? You will need a clear marketing strategy. This could include a strong web presence , social media marketing, special promotions, eye-catching signage, a well-placed chalkboard, collaborations with other businesses, and more.

When establishing your marketing plan, keep your target customers in mind. The channels and strategies that your marketing plan includes will need to align with their interests.

Following these steps to draw up your business plan template should cover all the necessary details. Just remember that your brewery business plan is a working document. Dedicate enough time to creating your plan, and constantly update and improve it as you learn more about the market and industry.

Plan to host private events at your brewery? Get in touch with Perfect Venue to learn more about our event management software designed for breweries, independent restaurants, and hospitality groups.

Have thoughts on the article? Feel free to email us at [email protected] - we'd love to hear it!

how to write a business plan for a brewery

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Brewery Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

You’ve come to the right place to create your brewery business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their breweries.

Below is a brewery business plan example to help you write your brewery business plan:

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Mountain Craft Beer is a startup brewery located in Boulder, Colorado. The company is founded by Richard and Susan Williams, long-time craft beer enthusiasts who are ready to venture out and start their own brewing business. Richard has worked as a Brewmaster in a local brewery for over ten years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from the University of Colorado. Susan has a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of New York. She has worked as a General Manager for a local restaurant and bar for the past five years. Now that the duo has obtained the experience and knowledge needed to run a craft beer business, Richard and Susan are ready to start a brewery of their own. Richard is confident in his ability to to manage the brewing process, while Susan is ready to take on the leadership role and manage all aspects of business operations. Richard and Susan will recruit a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day to day complexities of running a craft brewery – marketing and sales, accounting and budgeting, customer service, product management, and quality control.

Mountain Craft Beer will make unique craft beers that patrons can enjoy onsite or purchase through distributors. The Mountain Craft Beer brewery will provide a fun taproom tasting experience for guests to try out new brews. Mountain Craft Beer will be the ultimate choice in Boulder for its specialty craft beers made with premium locally sourced ingredients.

Product Offering

The following are the products and services that Mountain Craft Beer will provide:

  • Craft beer tasting
  • Barrel-aged beer
  • Seasonal IPAs
  • Seasonal Ales
  • Branded merchandise and apparel

Customer Focus

Mountain Craft Beer will target all individuals over the age of 21 in Boulder, Colorado. They will target locals and tourists. They will also target all beer-drinkers from seasoned connoisseurs to individuals brand new to craft beer, and everyone in between. No matter the customer, Mountain Craft Beer will deliver the best customer service, unique product offerings, and craft beer tastings led by friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Management Team

Mountain Craft Beer will be owned and operated by Richard and Susan Williams, long-time craft beer enthusiasts who are ready to venture out and start their own brewing business. Richard has worked as a Brewmaster in a local brewery for over ten years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from the University of Colorado. Susan has a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of New York. She has worked as a General Manager for a local restaurant and bar for the past five years. Now that the duo has obtained the experience and knowledge needed to open their own business, Richard and Susan are ready to start a craft brewery of their own. Richard is confident in his ability to to manage the craft brewing process, while Susan is ready to take on the leadership role and manage all aspects of business operations.

Success Factors

Mountain Craft Beer will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified team of brewing professionals that will create unique flavors and blends, lead tasting experiences, and serve as informative guides providing the best customer service around.
  • Unique product selection made with premium locally-sourced ingredients. New beers will be introduced each month and rotating seasonal selections will be renewed based on popularity.
  • Mountain Craft Beer will be able to offer the best pricing in town because they will save on shipping costs by using local suppliers. The savings will be passed on to customers.

Financial Highlights

Mountain Craft Beer is seeking $500,000 in debt financing to launch its brewery business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the facility and purchasing brewing equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

  • Build-out of the facility: $100,000
  • Brewing equipment, supplies, and ingredients: $240,000
  • Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $140,000
  • Marketing costs: $10,000
  • Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Mountain Craft Beer.

Financial Highlights

Company Overview

Who is mountain craft beer.

Mountain Craft Beer is a newly established craft brewing company in Boulder, Colorado. Mountain Craft Beer will be the ultimate choice for craft beer enthusiasts in the area. Mountain Craft Beer will provide an exclusive selection of craft beers, with new editions being introduced monthly and rotating seasonal selections that will be renewed based on popularity. Their exclusive, customer-centric approach combined with their use of locally sourced ingredients will make them a unique alternative to the typical craft beer experience. Mountain Craft Beer will be able to cater to their customers with unique product offerings and informative beer tasting events led by a team of highly qualified brewers. Mountain Craft Beer’s mission is to provide a fun and welcoming experience for its customers while delivering highly sought after creations that can’t be found anywhere else.

Mountain Craft Beer History

Mountain Craft Beer is owned and operated by Richard and Susan Williams, long-time craft beer enthusiasts who are ready to venture out and start their own brewing business. Richard has worked as a Brewmaster in a local brewery for over ten years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from the University of Colorado. Susan has a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of New York. She has worked as a General Manager for a local restaurant and bar for the past five years.

Since incorporation, Mountain Craft Beer has achieved the following milestones:

  • Registered Mountain Craft Beer, LLC to transact business in the state of Colorado.
  • Has a contract in place to lease the brewing facility.
  • Reached out to numerous contacts to include craft beer enthusiasts, former customers, and friends and family networks to create excitement for the new brewery.
  • Began recruiting a staff of brewers, sales associates, and marketing professionals to work at Mountain Craft Beer.

Mountain Craft Beer Services

Industry analysis.

The global craft beer industry is valued at $95BM. Beer is known for being the oldest and most broadly consumed beverage in the alcoholic category worldwide. The craft beer segment of the retail beer market in the United States has been growing steadily over the past ten years. In 2012, craft beer accounted for approximately 10% of the market. By 2021, this number increased to 26.8% of the market.

The U.S. brewery industry first became popular in the 2000s and hasn’t stopped growing since then. In 2006, there were approximately 1,400 breweries across the country. As of 2020, this number has grown to over 9,000.

The primary driver for growth in the United States craft beer market is the public’s increasing desire to find new and innovative drinks. The three most popular types of craft beers are pilsner, ale, and lager. Lager is the most popular of the three. Craft brewery industry operators can maintain a competitive advantage in the market by producing unique flavors and catering to their customers’ tastes.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

The precise demographics for Boulder, Colorado are:

Customer Segmentation

Mountain Craft Beer will primarily target the following customer profiles:

  • Residents 21 and over of Boulder, Colorado and surrounding areas
  • Tourists 21 and over of Boulder, Colorado and surrounding areas
  • Craft beer connoisseurs and enthusiasts (21 and over)
  • Craft beer newbies (21 and over)

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Mountain Craft Beer will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Boulder Brewery

Boulder Brewery is a newly established craft beer brewery and gastropub located in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder Brewery is owned and operated by a team of professional brewmasters and chefs. The brewery offers onsite craft beer tastings and has a full restaurant open seven days per week. Boulder Brewery also sells its craft beer to distributors. The brewery promises to provide unique flavor blends and premium exotic ingredients.

BC Craft Beer Company

BC Craft Beer Company is a Colorado-based brewery that provides fresh craft beer blends. BC Craft Beer Company provides a comprehensive menu of ales, pilsners, lagers, and other beers on site and available to order online. The owners of BC Craft Beer Company are former brewmasters so they understand how to create fine craft beers from scratch. Customers can depend on their unique brewing process to achieve one-of-a-kind drinks. By choosing BC Craft Beer Company customers know they are getting the highest quality ingredients and specialty beverages they can brag about. BC Craft Beer Company uses holistic inspections and quality control measures to ensure each batch exceeds the most stringent quality standards.

Crafty Colorado Brews

Crafty Colorado Brews is a trusted Colorado brewery that provides superior service to patrons in Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding areas. The company makes small batches of seasonal drinks onsite. Products include pale ales, pilsners, and lagers. Crafty Colorado Brews hosts craft beer tasting events onsite and also distributes its products to local restaurants and liquor stores.

Competitive Advantage

Mountain Craft Beer will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

  • Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified team of brewing professionals that is able to create high quality, unique flavors using locally sourced ingredients and cater to customers’ preferences.
  • New flavors developed each month and rotating seasonal selections that are renewed based on popularity.
  • Mountain Craft Beer offers the best pricing in town. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Mountain Craft Beer will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

  • Highly-qualified team of skilled employees that is able to lead fun tasting events and provide insightful information to craft beer enthusiasts and novices alike.
  • Unbeatable pricing to its customers – Using local suppliers allows the company to save on shipping costs and pass these savings on to its customers.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Mountain Craft Beer is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

Richard and Susan Williams have built up an extensive network of craft beer enthusiasts and industry professionals. They plan to leverage this network to help them promote the new brewery.

Professional Associations and Networking

Mountain Craft Beer will become a member of Colorado Brewers Guild, Brewers Association, and the Master Brewers Association of the Americas. They will focus their networking efforts on expanding their customer network.

Print Advertising

Mountain Craft Beer will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events, magazines, direct mailers, and newspapers.

Website/SEO Marketing

Mountain Craft Beer will utilize an in-house marketing director to design the company website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all of Mountain Craft Beer’s current product offerings. The website will also list contact information and upcoming tasting events.

The marketing director will also manage Mountain Craft Beer’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “Colorado craft beer” or “brewery near me”, Mountain Craft Beer will be listed at the top of the search results.

Social Media/Influencers

The marketing director will create a brand presence across multiple social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. These accounts will be updated regularly to maintain an active social media presence. The company will work with social media influencers who will help to promote its products.

The pricing of Mountain Craft Beer will be moderate and slightly lower than competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing craft beer from the company.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Mountain Craft Beer.

Operation Functions:

  • Richard Williams – Co-owner and Brewmaster who will oversee all brewing staff and manage the product development process.
  • Susan Williams – Co-Owner and Operations Manager who will oversee all staff (outside of brewers) including sales, marketing, accounting, and maintenance employees.
  • Ben Smith – Staff Accountant will provide all client accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
  • Michelle Miller – Marketing Director who will provide all marketing promotions for Mountain Craft Beer.
  • John Davis – Maintenance Director who will provide all maintenance for the facility.

Milestones:

Mountain Craft Beer will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

8/1/2022 – Finalize contract to lease facility

8/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts

9/1/2022 – Begin build-out of the brewery

9/15/2022 – Begin networking at industry events

9/22/2022 – Begin moving into the facility

10/1/2022 – Mountain Craft Beer opens its brewery for business

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Mountain Craft Beer are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the products and fees charged to enter exclusive tasting events.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a brewery. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, craft beer ingredients, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

  • Number of Beers Sold Per Month: 3,000
  • Average Fees per Month: $15,000
  • Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, brewery business plan faqs, what is a brewery business plan.

A brewery business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your brewery business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your brewery business plan using our Brewery Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Breweries?

There are a number of different kinds of breweries, some examples include: Microbrewery, Nano brewery, Brewpub, Taproom Brewery, Regional Brewery, and Contract Brewing Company.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Brewery Business Plan?

Breweries are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding. 

This is true for a brewery business plan, microbrewery business plan, or a craft brewery business plan

What are the Steps To Start a Brewery Business?

Starting a brewery business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Brewery Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed craft brewery business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your brewery business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your brewery business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Brewery Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your brewery business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your brewery business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Brewery Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your brewery business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your brewery business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful brewery business, brewery business planning and crafting a beer business plan :

  • How to Start a Brewery Business
  • How to Start a Brewery

Where Can I Get a Brewery Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free brewery business plan template PDF here . This is a sample brewery business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Brewery Business Plan Template

Customize this brewery business plan template and grow your dream business..

A smiling head brewer holding a beer in front of brewery equipment.

What’s Inside This Free Brewery Business Plan Template:

  • A customizable brewery business plan template that can be opened with Word or Pages
  • Step-by-step instructions to guide you through the creation of a winning business plan
  • Tips and examples to help you fill in each section – whether you’re writing a plan for a brewpub, microbrewery, or craft brewery

If you’re ready to get in on the booming craft beer market, you should start with a brewery business plan template. If you’ve never written a business plan before and are overwhelmed by the process, this free template can guide you through the process. 

Our brewery and microbrewery business plan template is easy to customize and share. You can save the file in the word processing program of your choice – Pages or Word – and then print it or share it digitally with friends, family, and investors.

Download the sample brewery business plan template by filling out the contact form above, or keep reading to learn more about what to expect inside this 21-page document.

What’s a Brewery Business Plan Template?

A brewery business plan template is a customizable document that guides you through writing a winning business plan for beer-related enterprises, like a craft brewery, brew pub, or microbrewery. This kind of template covers topics like an executive summary, marketing plan, operations plan, financial plan, and others.

While this template is intended for breweries, it can also apply to cideries , meaderies , and similar ventures – it’s a multi-purpose craft brewery business plan!

Why Do You Need a Brewery Business Plan Template?

Equipped with a business plan for your brewery, you can secure loans and leases, and attract investors and business partners. Using a template to draft this business plan is helpful for a number of reasons.

This brewery business plan template contains nine exhaustive sections, ensuring you won’t leave out any important parts from this essential document. 

Expediting the Writing Process

To help you fill in each section, our starting a brewery business plan template includes detailed instructions and tips on what to write, which can help you avoid writer’s block and speed up the writing process. 

Made for Breweries

Unlike generic business plan templates, this one was written specifically for breweries. Each section factors in considerations that are unique to this kind of business and so you have a dedicated brewery business plan example to follow.

Because there’s a wide range of businesses that fall under the brewery category, this template is designed for a wide variety of venue types. For instance, you can use the document as a microbrewery business plan template to help you plan a small-scale brewing operation. On the other hand, you can also use this sample brewery business plan for a sprawling craft brewery complete with dining rooms, bottle shops, and more.

What You’ll Find in This Free Brewery Business Plan Template

When you download this 21-page brewery business plan example, you’ll get a customizable word processing document that you can open in Microsoft Word or Pages. We’ve included instructions for how to customize the template and save it as a PDF.

The document begins with a cover page and a table of contents. The bulk of the template is made up of its nine sections, which includes topics like a business overview, marketplace analysis, and more. 

In each section, you’ll find:

  • Headings that you can use as-is or customize
  • An explanation of what each section is for
  • Tips for what to write in each section
  • Suggestions for how much to write
  • Examples relevant to breweries
  • Links to helpful resources, like menu templates, technology suggestions, and more

If you’re ready to bring your brewery dreams to life, this craft brewery business plan template is the best place to start. Fill out the form above to download the template.

Success! Click below to access the download.

We’ve also sent you a confirmation email with a personal download link so you can access the content at any time.

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Brewery Business Plan

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There is no question that there has been an increase in the number of craft breweries around the United States over the last several years. In 2018 alone,  1,049 new breweries opened  while 219 closed their doors forever. With over 25.9 million barrels of craft beer sold in 2018, commanding over $27.6 billion in revenue, there’s no wonder that entrepreneurs are launching more breweries than ever. Unfortunately, setting up a brewery can be expensive. Often, entrepreneurs must seek the funds of investors to support the launch of their craft beer business. To meet and attract investors, they need a strong brewery business plan that supports their case and showcases the potential of their idea.

Writing a business plan for a brewery is a bit different than writing for other types of businesses. Even when compared to other food & drink venues, breweries have several unique factors that should be addressed as a strategy is devised.

In the following post, we will explain everything you need to know about creating an awesome investor-ready brewery business plan.

Download our winning brewery business plan template here!

The Brewery Business Plan Format

The layout for a brewery plan will typically follow that of a standard business plan. However, because of the unique nature of a brewery business, the approach to each section may be considerably different. Here are a few tips as you write through each section of your brewery business plan.

Executive Summary

Seed and  pre-seed investors  receive business plans constantly, and often, they don’t make it through the first few pages. The executive summary is probably the most critical part of your document. Essentially, this summary is the pitch that sells investors on reading the rest of the plan! With so many breweries launching, your executive summary must effectively explain what makes your brewery special. After reading your summary, investors should be able to clearly recognize what factors make your brewery unique and why consumers would choose to patronize your establishment over another. In general, your executive summary should sum up the major concepts that are explained throughout your plan. If delivered successfully, investors will be excited to continue reading your plan. *Tip*  Although the executive summary is presented first in your brewery business plan, you should write it last. This way, you can ensure that it follows your strategy perfectly and that it mentions all notable details.

Brewery Details

This section introduces readers to your brewery concept and the products that it will offer. There are four major parts to a brewery details section: 1) Description:  Explain how the brewery concept was conceived and the milestones that have been achieved to date. Milestones can include things such as finding a location, securing advisors, or establishing beneficial relationships. 2) Mission Statement:  Write a statement that explains what your brewery stands for, who it serves, its beliefs towards quality craft beer production, and the type of experience you hope to provide to guests. 3) Products & Services:  List out the different products and brands you serve. Explain what makes these products unique from competitive breweries. Whether your product is more flavorful or fresher, this is the section to describe why your product is special – if it is in fact special. Don’t just stop at the product itself, but also consider the type of unique experience that your customers can expect when frequenting your brewery. 4) Key Success Factors:  This section describes the factors that must be accomplished in order for you to successfully launch and operate a brewery. Major key factors for brewery success include things like finding the right location, having the right brewing process, choosing the right equipment, and building a repeat customer base.

Market Research

Unfortunately, not every market is ripe for a brewery. In some markets, there just aren’t enough ideal consumers to keep a brewery at a meaningful capacity. It’s important to know who your customers are, how many of them exist within your specific region, and how many you can attract to your brewery each day, week, or month. Start your research by performing a  target market analysis  to estimate the size of your serviceable obtainable market. Unless you can find the research to prove that there is both a large market and a high demand for a brewery, investors will hesitate to invest their capital. Assess the demographics of your target consumer. Use research from reliable resources like the Census to accurately estimate how large your market really is.

Competitive Analysis

No matter how great your beer is, your brewery will face some level of competition. Even if you are the only brewery in town, competition will come from local bars, restaurants, and local stores that sell craft beer. On a secondary level, there will also be competition from distributors of mass-produced domestic and imported beers. Make sure you identify all of your players within your local competitive landscape. Assess what customers enjoy about these venues and what they dislike.  Perform a SWOT analysis  on your brewery business and detail the advantages you have over other breweries, bars, beer suppliers.

Marketing Strategy

Having the best brewery in town is meaningless if you can’t get customers through the door. Unfortunately, just existing isn’t enough – competition in the food & beverage industry is usually quite extreme and customers have many options to choose from. Decide how you will introduce your brewery to potential customers. Whether it’s local marketing with newspaper ads in a community newspaper or directory, or online using social media – an effective strategy must be implemented to succeed. Consider how you will market your brewery, how much you will invest into each method, and how many customers you will attract with your intended budget. Furthermore, answer the following questions:

  • How will you ensure that customers are satisfied enough to give your brewery great ratings and reviews?
  • How can you upsell to help increase the value of each customer on each visit?
  • How can you ensure that customers will return to your brewery on an ongoing basis?

Operational Strategy

Planning a brewery is tough, but operating one is far more challenging. There are many factors that go into operating a brewery on an everyday basis. The operational strategy for your brewery plan should include the following elements:

  • Location:  Explain where your brewery will be located, how big the facility will be, why it is the perfect location, how you will renovate the location, and more.
  • Quality Control:  Maintaining product quality is essential for a brewery. Failure to stay on top of things could lead to food inspection violations. Detail the steps you will take to ensure that a high-quality standard is met at all times.
  • Customer Service:  Breweries are service-based businesses, too. Customer service is key to ensuring that visitors are satisfied enough to return in the future. Describe how you will deal with customer service and how you will handle any customer complaints.
  • Sales Process:  Explain the process of how a customer receives your product from the moment they walk into the door. Who seats them? Who serves them? How are they served? How is payment collected? What happens after they leave?
  • Staffing:  Lastly, explain your staffing plan. Consider each individual you will need to hire to operate your brewery properly. When will you hire them? How will you train them? How much will you pay them?

Financial Projections

Finally, investors want to see the financial viability and potential of your brewery. Prior industry research should help you minimize assumptions as you build your financial model. Once you have identified all major expenses (such as equipment and staffing), be sure to identify minor expenses, too (such as equipment maintenance, cleaning supplies for the bathroom, soap to wash dishes with, and etc.). Your financial model should be realistic and should replicate the strategies described in your brewery business plan. It should showcase realistic growth, and should be based on real data and statistics – not fluffed up with too many unproven assumptions.

Special Considerations

how to write a business plan for a brewery

While the  business plan format  of a brewery plan may be similar to every other plan, there are several special considerations that must be made. There are some challenges that are exclusive to food & beverage businesses, and some that are exclusive to breweries specifically. Here are three special considerations you should make when writing your brewery plan.

Pay Attention to the Details

Breweries have only recently began to explode across the country. Investors will either be experienced with breweries and extremely familiar with the associated details, or they will be clueless about what it takes to run a brewery. Either way, it is important that you are able to consider and communicate each detail clearly. Interview brewery owners who are not competitors – such as those operating in other regions. Ask if they can share their experience and have them look over your financials to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything. When starting a brewery, research is everything – and sometimes, you won’t find all the answers through an online search. Build relationships within the industry and use those relationships to to your advantage as you plan your brewery.

Consider the Community

Knowing your customer is essential to establishment and growth. The most loyal customers will generally come from the surrounding community. The better you know the community, the more effective you will be in serving your customers. Look into other food & beverage businesses that have launched within the area. Pay special attention to the ones that didn’t succeed. What factors led to their success? Why did other bars and restaurants succeed instead? Interview potential customers within the community. Ask them what they like about current options and what they’d like to see in a new brewery. The feedback will not only help you develop a business that the community supports, but it will also help you validate your concept to investors.

Know Your Numbers

If there’s one thing you want to be extremely detailed about – it’s your numbers. Finding out that your strategy isn’t viable during the business planning process may sting, but finding it out post-launch can completely derail your business. Every financial model will have some level of assumption built into it. Having too many assumptions though will turn a brewery financial model into a pipedream. When you write your brewery business plan, research as deeply as you can to find out the real numbers associated with starting and running your business.

Need Help With Your Brewery Business Plan?

Writing a brewery business plan can be an extensive challenge for an entrepreneur. At ThinkLions, we have written dozens of business plans for breweries and other food & beverage businesses – and we know what it takes to get your brewery funded. Need help?  Contact us  today and let us help you write the best brewery business plan possible!

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Brewery Business Plan

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If you like to brew different flavors of drinks or have a microbrewery, you might have thought of starting a proper brewery business.

And the good news is that the brewery industry is now bigger than ever and continues to grow at a rapid pace.

If you are planning to start a new Brewery business, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample brewery business plan created using upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new brewery business, spend as much time as you can reading through some examples of Farm & Food Production-related Business Plans .

Industry Overview

The global beer market stood at a value of 623.2 billion dollars in 2020 and is expected to grow at a rapid rate thereafter too.

The main reason behind the rise in cultural changes and the growing acceptance of alcohol across the globe.

Moreover, the brewery business is growing due to differences in preferences between alcohol-free to low alcohol beers and the ones with different flavors.

Today’s consumers aim towards maintaining a better lifestyle along with socializing. Hence, demand for low-alcohol beers is on the rise and a brewery can serve that and more.

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how to write a business plan for a brewery

Things to Consider Before Writing a Brewery Business Plan

Now you might want to get started as soon as possible. But before you start working on your business plan keep the following things in mind:

Decide on a menu and acquire resources

Though a lot depends on individual demands, having a certain set of items and proportions that work is important for a brewery business.

Moreover, it is also important to know what works best for the majority of your customers so you can have a handy set of ingredients.

Above all, you need to maintain a combination of quality and cost-effectiveness while acquiring ingredients for your brewery.

Stay up to date with your consumer’s preferences

The main purpose of a brewery is to provide a quality customer experience. What sets a brewery apart from a usual bar is the experience that comes with selecting your ideal flavors and proportions.

Hence, knowing what your customers want, things that influence their tastes, and what motivates them to change is essential for your business to succeed.

Know your competitors

Knowing what your competitors are doing is essential to do better than them. The brewery business is huge but it is also very competitive at the same time.

Hence, it is essential to stay a step ahead of your competitors for your business to thrive.

Write Your Business Plan

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for. It will also show you the different sections that entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this brewery business plan  template for you to get a good idea about how perfect a brewery business plan should look and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Then again it’s no surprise because the demand for unique and different things is growing irrespective of the business. And a brewery can offer just that for beers.

Brewery Business Plan Outline

This is the standard brewery business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

  • Mission Statement
  • Vision Statement
  • Products and Services
  • Customer Focus
  • Management Team
  • Keys to Success
  • 3 Year profit forecast
  • Startup cost
  • Industry Analysis
  • Market Trends
  • Market Needs
  • Target Market
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Ongoing Customer Communications
  • Pre-Opening Events
  • Online Marketing
  • Pricing Strategy
  • Operation Functions
  • Administrative Functions
  • Important Assumptions
  • Brake-even Analysis
  • Profit Yearly
  • Gross Margin Yearly
  • Projected Cash Flow
  • Projected Balance Sheet
  • Business Ratios

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this sample brewery business plan template into your business plan and modify the required information and download your brewery business plan pdf or doc file.

It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

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Download a sample brewery business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free brewery business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your brewery business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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How To Write a Brewery Marketing Plan + Template & Examples

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In this article, we will describe what should be included in each component of your marketing plan and provide some marketing strategies that can help you generate leads, build credibility, and strengthen the brand of your brewery.

Download our Ultimate Marketing Plan Template here

What is a Marketing Plan for a Brewery?

A brewery marketing plan is a written document that outlines the specific actions you’ll take to generate leads, convert prospects into customers, and retain customers over time. This document is a crucial component of your larger brewery business plan , as it details how you’ll attract and retain customers.

Your marketing plan should be built around your unique selling proposition (USP), which is the one thing that sets you apart from other brewery businesses in your market. From there, you’ll need to develop targeted marketing campaigns, create compelling offers, and craft a promotions strategy that will reach your ideal customers.

For example, if your brewery specializes in Belgian-style ales, your marketing plan should highlight this unique selling point and cater to beer lovers who are interested in trying out different types of Belgian beers. This could include hosting events that feature tastings of various Belgian beers or partnering with local restaurants to offer food pairings with your ales.

Once you have all of the pieces in place, you’ll need to track your progress and adjust your plan accordingly. The best way to do this is to set measurable goals and track your results regularly.  

Why You Need a Brewery Marketing Plan?

There are many reasons why you need a marketing plan to start your brewery . First and foremost, it will help you focus your efforts and ensure that you’re making the best use of your time and money.

With a well-crafted marketing plan in place, you’ll be able to track your progress and make necessary adjustments along the way. This will help you fine-tune your marketing efforts and eventually achieve the results you’re looking for.

In addition, a marketing plan will also give you a written record of your marketing activities. This can come in handy if you ever need to justify your marketing expenditures or report on your marketing efforts to stakeholders.

Finally, a marketing plan can help you avoid common mistakes that many brewery businesses make. By taking the time to develop a comprehensive marketing plan, you’ll be in a much better position to avoid these pitfalls and set yourself up for success.  

Marketing Plan Basics

A typical marketing plan includes the following components:

Executive Summary

Target market segments, unique selling proposition (usp), pricing and positioning strategy, marketing materials, promotions strategy, digital marketing plan, conversion, referral, and retention strategy, financial projections, how to write a brewery marketing plan.

Use the following brewery marketing plan template, guide, and examples to write your own marketing plan.

The first section of your brewery marketing plan should be written as the final section of your marketing plan.

In two or three pages, summarize all of the information you have presented in the other sections and include a summary version of any graphs or charts you have included.

You should also include your marketing goals, objectives, and success metrics for the first year of operations.  

Begin by dividing your potential customers into segments based on their demographics, geography, lifestyle, behavior, or any other factors that are relevant to your organization’s cause. Be sure to explain how you determined these target market segments.

For example, a brewery business that specializes in gluten-free beers may target individuals who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease. They may also target health-conscious consumers who prefer to drink organic and natural products.

Once you have identified your target market segments, you’ll need to create buyer personas for each one. A buyer persona is a fictional character that represents a specific type of customer that you’re trying to reach.

When creating buyer personas, be sure to include detailed information about their demographics, behaviors, needs, and goals. This will help you develop targeted marketing campaigns that are more likely to resonate with each segment.  

Your USP is the one thing that sets you apart from other brewery businesses in your market. It’s what makes you unique and it’s what will make prospective customers want to do business with you.

To develop your USP, start by brainstorming a list of all the things that make your brewery business unique. Then, narrow down this list to the one or two things that are most important to your target market segments.  

This section should cover your pricing strategy, how you determine pricing, and what sets your prices apart from those of competitors. If there are specific circumstances that might affect your pricing strategy for certain types of customers or in certain market conditions, be sure to mention them here.

For example, a brewery business that uses locally sourced ingredients may charge a higher price for their products to reflect their commitment to quality and sustainability.

You should also include your positioning strategy in this section. Positioning is how you want your brewery business to be perceived by potential customers. For example, your positioning could be focused on being a premium, high-quality brewery or a budget-friendly option for casual beer drinkers.

To develop your positioning strategy, start by thinking about the things that are most important to your target market segments. What needs do they have that you can address? What are their pain points? How can you position your business as the best choice to meet their needs?  

Describe your company’s products and services in this section. Include any special offers, seasonal promotions, or plans to expand into new goods or services in the future. You will also want to include information about prices, discounts for bulk purchases, payment options, how frequently you offer sales, etc.

For example, brewery businesses might offer a seasonal beer for the summer, host happy hours with discounted prices on certain days, or allow customers to purchase a subscription box of limited edition beers.  

In this section, you’ll want to include information about the marketing materials you use to promote your business. This might include your website, brochures, business cards, email newsletters, and social media accounts.

You should also include information about how often you update your marketing materials and what kinds of content you include in them. For example, brewery businesses might include information about their latest brews, upcoming events, and special promotions in their marketing materials.  

Your promotions strategy should detail how you plan to generate interest in your products and services. This might include trade shows, webinars, speaking engagements, press releases, or social media campaigns.

You should also include information about how often you run promotions and what kind of marketing budget you have for them. For example, a brewery business might sponsor a local beer festival, collaborate with influencers to promote their products on social media, or offer discounts during major holidays.  

In this section, you’ll want to detail your plans for reaching potential customers online. For a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, you should include search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media marketing, and email marketing.

You should also include information about how often you’ll update your website, blog, and social media accounts. For example, a brewery might commit to posting two blog articles per week and updating its social media accounts daily.  

Your conversion, referral, and retention strategy should detail how you plan to turn potential customers into paying customers and keep them coming back for more.

This might include: offering incentives for referrals, creating a loyalty program, or providing excellent customer service. For example, a brewery might offer discounts to customers who bring in new customers or host special events for their loyal patrons.

Finally, it might include a loyalty program or other perks to thank your most loyal customers and keep them coming back.  

In this section, you should include your plans for generating revenue and growing your brewery business. This might include information about your target customers, pricing strategy, distribution strategy, and promotions strategy. They should also include your brewery startup costs .

You should also include financial statements for your brewery business such as your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.  

Common Marketing Strategies for a Brewery Business

Although every brewery business will need to develop a marketing plan that meets its own unique needs, here are some common strategies you may choose to implement.

  • Partnerships and Collaborations: Partnering with other businesses or organizations can help you reach new audiences and expand your customer base. For example, you might collaborate with a local restaurant to offer a beer pairing menu or work with a local charity to host a fundraising event.
  • Events and Tastings: Hosting events and tastings at your brewery can help attract new customers and foster loyalty among existing ones. You might consider hosting regular brewery tours, beer festivals, or special themed events.
  • Social Media Marketing: Social media is an essential tool for promoting your brewery business. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to showcase your products, engage with customers, and spread the word about upcoming events or promotions.
  • Email Marketing: Email marketing is a cost-effective way to communicate directly with your customers. Use email newsletters to share updates about new products, upcoming events, or special offers.
  • Brewery Tours: Offering brewery tours is not only a great way to educate customers about your brewing process, but it can also be a valuable revenue stream. Consider offering different tour packages and add-ons, such as beer tastings or food pairings.
  • Online Ordering and Delivery: With the rise of online ordering and delivery services, offering these options for your brewery products can help you reach a wider audience. This is especially important during times when in-person sales may be limited, such as during a pandemic.
  • Influencer Partnerships: Partnering with influencers, both locally and nationally, can help promote your brewery business to their followers. Consider reaching out to popular beer bloggers or Instagrammers to collaborate on promotions or events.

The marketing strategy that you choose will strictly depend on the ideal customer and where you are most likely to reach them.  

Sample Marketing Plan for a Brewery Business

Example – hoppy haven brewery.

Hoppy Haven Brewery is a craft beer brewery that offers unique and locally-sourced flavors in a warm and inviting taproom. Our mission is to provide an exceptional customer experience while supporting the local community. We have developed a strong marketing plan that focuses on our unique selling proposition, pricing and positioning strategy, distribution channels, promotions, digital marketing strategies, and financial projections.

Our measurable marketing objectives will guide our efforts in achieving success and growth in the competitive brewery market. We are excited to bring our customers a hoppy haven of delicious beers, good company, and unforgettable experiences.  

  • Beer enthusiasts and craft beer lovers.
  • Locals and tourists looking for a unique brewery experience.
  • Adults of legal drinking age who enjoy trying new flavors and styles of beer.

Demographics

Beer enthusiasts and craft beer lovers:

  • Age: 25-45.
  • Gender: Male and female.
  • Income: Middle to high income levels.
  • Education: Some college or higher education.

Locals and tourists looking for a unique brewery experience:

  • Gender: Male and female

Psychographics

  • Passionate about trying new and unique flavors of beer
  • Enjoy learning about the brewing process and ingredients used
  • Willing to spend more for high-quality, locally sourced products
  • Value experiences over material possessions
  • Interested in supporting local businesses
  • Open to trying new things and stepping out of their comfort zone

Adults of legal drinking age who enjoy trying new flavors and styles of beer:

  • Enjoy socializing with friends and trying new products
  • Value quality over quantity when it comes to alcohol consumption

Hoppy Haven Brewery offers a refreshing and unique experience for beer enthusiasts through our use of local, high-quality ingredients and diverse range of flavors. Our warm and inviting taproom creates a welcoming atmosphere for customers to enjoy our handcrafted beers. We are committed to supporting the local community and providing an exceptional customer experience that sets us apart from other breweries in the area.  

Our pricing strategy is to offer premium craft beers at competitive prices in line with other local breweries. We aim to position ourselves as a top choice for those seeking a high-quality, unique, and locally-sourced beer experience. Our focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere and dedication to supporting the community will also differentiate us from competitors.  

Distribution Strategy

Hoppy Haven Brewery will distribute our beers through our taproom, online ordering and delivery services, as well as partnering with local restaurants and bars. We will also offer brewery tours and tastings to attract customers to our location. By utilizing multiple distribution channels, we can reach a wider audience and increase sales.  

Hoppy Haven Brewery will offer a variety of promotions and packages, such as happy hour discounts, seasonal beer releases, and tour packages. We will also collaborate with local businesses to offer special deals for their customers. These offers will help attract new customers and increase sales.  

  • Business cards.
  • Flyers and brochures.
  • Social media graphics and posts.
  • Event banners and posters.
  • Brewery merchandise (t-shirts, hats, etc.).
  • Brewery tour materials (maps, descriptions).
  • Email newsletters.
  • Beer labels and packaging design.
  • Collaborative promotional materials with partners or influencers.

Hoppy Haven Brewery will utilize a mix of online and offline promotions to reach our target market. This includes social media advertising, influencer partnerships, email marketing, and local events such as beer festivals. By targeting both locals and tourists through various platforms, we can increase brand awareness and attract more customers to our taproom.  

Our digital marketing plan will focus on creating a strong online presence through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We will also utilize email marketing to keep our customers updated on new beer releases, promotions, and events. Through collaborations with influencers, we can reach a wider audience and attract new customers who may not have heard of Hoppy Haven Brewery before.  

Hoppy Haven Brewery will implement various strategies to convert potential customers into loyal patrons, encourage referrals, and ensure customer retention. This includes offering a loyalty program, providing exceptional customer service, and continuously engaging with our customers through social media and email marketing. We will also offer special events and promotions exclusively for our loyal customers as a way to show appreciation for their support.  

Hoppy Haven Brewery’s financial projections for Q1 are as follows:

  • Sales revenue: $50,000
  • Cost of goods sold: $20,000
  • Gross profit margin: 60%

Based on current market trends and our marketing strategies, we anticipate steady growth in sales and profitability over the next year. Our goal is to become a leading craft beer brewery in the area and establish a strong presence in the local community.  

Marketing Objectives:

  • Increase brand awareness by 20% within the first quarter.
  • Attract 100 new customers to our taproom through promotions and events within the first month.
  • Collaborate with at least 3 local businesses for cross-promotional opportunities within the first 6 months.
  • Maintain a customer retention rate of at least 70% over the course of one year.
  • Increase social media following by 30% within the first 3 months.
  • Achieve a gross profit margin of 65% by the end of the first year.

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How to Write and Develop a Microbrewery Business Plan

how to write a business plan for a brewery

The start of a successful microbrewery is composed of a ton of elements working synchronously. While the beer industry is a unique one, it shares many of the same business principles as companies in other sectors; one of these principles is establishing a business plan when beginning any new company.

So what is a business plan exactly? Oxford Languages describes a business plan as “a document setting out a business’s future objectives and strategies for achieving them.” Essentially, your business plan provides the groundwork upon which you’ll build your microbrewery into what you desire it to be. Let’s explore this further.

Why Are Business Plans Important?

It helps to know why building a business plan is essential before you get started writing one. Let’s take a look at some of the most important  reasons :

  • Idea Development –  A business plan gives you the opportunity to layout any ideas and goals for your new microbrewery and see how they might realistically work or need to be altered.
  • Timeline Establishment –  When starting a new company, the establishment of a timeline is crucial. By setting deadlines and completion expectancy within your business plan, you can ensure you stay on course while getting your microbrewery up and running.
  • Financial Guidelines –  As the old adage says, “It takes money to make money.” Finances will play a vital role in the development of your microbrewery. By laying out financial guidelines, budgets, and expectations within your business plan, you can ensure you stay on track with profits and don’t overspend.
  • Marketing Planning –  With any business, especially new ones, marketing is extremely important. By laying out your business plan, you have a crucial opportunity to plan for sales and customer acquisitions and integrate with the other steps for a more fluid process.
  • Business Model Development –  When you lay out the plans for your new microbrewery, how solid does it seem? Do any potential problems or flaws stick out? By developing your business plan fully before implementation, you can often gain a unique perspective and build upon it or revise it where necessary.
  • Strategic Planning –  It’s crucial to know what your competitors and other microbreweries in the industry are doing. Your business plan can help you with strategizing and eventually claiming a piece of the pie for yourself.
  • Investment Seeking –  Are you planning to seek funding from investors for the start-up of your new microbrewery? Potential investors will want to see a clear vision and plan for your business, which can be provided through a well-crafted business plan.

how to write a business plan for a brewery

Do This First

Before you begin drafting your business plan, it’s vital that you have a clear understanding of the goals and expectations you have for your microbrewery. Setting your goals will lay the framework for the remainder of your plans to come. Take a moment to simply consider the objectives you have in mind for your microbrewery; don’t attempt to establish your plan for accomplishment yet. Here’s how to begin and what to consider with your goal development:

  • Vision –  You’ll need to consider the vision you have for your new business carefully. What is the end goal of starting your microbrewery? What would you like to accomplish with your business? Why is this move important to you, and how will it be necessary to other people? Answering these and other similar questions can help provide you with clear and established expectations.
  • Financial  – Finances will play an essential role in the successful launch of your new microbrewery. Specifically, it’s important to have a good idea of where you desire your financial margins to be and how you would like to see growth. Staying realistic when setting financial goals is critical.
  • Expansion –  How big do you plan to go with your new business? Are you hoping to keep things small, or do you have dreams of going big? By establishing how you expect and desire for your microbrewery to grow can help you with navigating future business decisions.
  • Timelines –  To keep your goals achievable, deadlines for completion must be established; doing this can help ensure you stay on track. It’s important that you revisit your goals from time-to-time to check in on completion and to make sure things are running on schedule.

What Elements Make Up a Business Plan?

The underlying construct of a business plan is generally the same across different industries. Below are the elements you’ll want to make sure are included:

  • Contents –  Your business plan should begin by laying out what is to be expected within and what page each section can be found on for quick reference.
  • Statement of Purpose  – The statement of purpose provides a brief summary of your business plan and your aspirations with beginning your microbrewery. Writing this portion at the end of crafting your business plan is generally more manageable since you’ll have a good grasp of all components by that time.
  • Microbrewery name, including any DBA (doing business as)
  • Microbrewery established date
  • Contact information, including phone number and email address
  • Bank information
  • Website and social media information
  • The mission statement of your brewery
  • Legal business registration (corporation, partnership, LLC., sole proprietorship, or otherwise)
  • Desired or current location of microbrewery
  • Personal goals for the microbrewery
  • Professional goals for the microbrewery
  • Listing of products and services
  • Researched market size and demographics
  • Growth trends and expectations
  • Target market description
  • Sales expectations
  • Branding plans for your microbrewery
  • Analysis of competition within the industry
  • Operational Plan –  The operational plan portion of your business plan will outline current and expected staff needs, day-to-day functional components, microbrewery supply needs, and licensing and insurance requirements.
  • Finances –  You’ll definitely want to approach the financial section with care. Laying out the details of your financial plan will help guide you as you build your microbrewery business and provide valuable information for potential investors. You should include expected expenses, sales forecasts, start-up expenses, and day-to-day expenses in this section of your business plan.
  • Summary –  The summary of your microbrewery business plan essentially ties everything together. Be sure to include final notes on why you expect your microbrewery to succeed and summarize the components you need to ensure this success.
  • Corresponding Paperwork –  If you have any pertinent letters of recommendation, contracts, customer testimonials, or other legal documents, they should be included with your business plan.

how to write a business plan for a brewery

Tips for Your Microbrewery Business Plan

The microbrewery industry is a unique and challenging one. To formulate a successful business plan, it’s crucial that you address the unique challenges of your microbrewery head-on. Here are five industry tips to help:

  • Focus on the Equipment –  The equipment of your microbrewery is the backbone for its functionality and success. Without continued access to things like storage tanks, fermentation tanks, kegs, cleaning equipment, bottling equipment, and more, your brewery will not succeed. Be sure to layout an exact financial plan for acquiring and maintaining necessary brewery equipment.
  • Location Is Important –  The location needs of your microbrewery will be anything but micro. When considering the site for your new business, be sure to take machinery and equipment needs, as well as supporting plumbing and electrical structures.
  • Include a Plan for Failure –  If your brewery incurs damage, or a machine breaks down, what’s your plan to continue operations? Problems are inevitable with any business; it’s important to plan ahead for issues and demonstrate this preparedness to investors to ensure confidence.
  • Start-up Costs –  Starting a microbrewery will be expensive and take a decent amount of funding upfront. Careful focus must be placed in the financial portion of your business plan so you can plan accordingly. When building your plan, consider things like loan needs, plans and timelines for repayment, lines of credit needed, and projected operational costs.
  • Establish a Support Network –  Whether it’s personal motivational support, financial support, or business guidance, it’s crucial to have access to a network of support   to help you along your new business journey. It definitely won’t be easy starting your microbrewery, but it’s well worth it in the end.

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How to Write a Food and Beverage Business Plan + Sample Business Plan PDF

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Elon Glucklich

7 min. read

Updated February 17, 2024

Free Download: Sample Food and Beverage Business Plan Templates

The food and beverage sector is booming. Restaurant openings rose 10% in 2023 compared to 2022 — even higher than in pre-pandemic years.

From fine dining to food trucks, farmers to brewers, and wholesalers to coffee makers, there are opportunities across the food and beverage industry. 

But starting a business without covering the basics — your operations plan, marketing tactics, financial strategy, and more — carries huge risks. 

That’s why we recommend you write a business plan.

  • Why write a food and beverage business plan?

Writing a business plan is an easy first step that you can start for free. Plus, businesses that take time to plan are significantly more successful than those that don’t.

Many food and beverage establishments fail because of one of the following:

  • Poor inventory management
  • Underestimated expenses
  • High employee turnover
  • Misjudged the size of their market

Writing a business plan can help you:

  • Develop processes for managing inventory and logistics
  • Understand your cash flows and create a realistic expense budget
  • Budget for competitive employee pay that increases worker retention
  • Analyze your competition and determine how big your market is  

If you’re looking for funding from investors for your business, you’ll definitely need a business plan.

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  • How to write a food and beverage business plan

Many business plans follow a standard format and you can use it as a starting point when writing your own plan. Here’s what that includes:

Executive summary

  • Company summary and funding needs
  • Products and services
  • Marketing plan
  • Management team

Financial plan

For food and beverage companies, you must give extra attention to your market analysis, operations plan, and financial forecasts.

If you’re ready to start, download a free business plan template and fill it out as you read this article.

A sample business plan outline for a food and beverage business.

Every business plan should include an executive summary . It’s a brief outline summarizing the plan, no more than one or two pages.

We recommend that you write the executive summary last after fleshing out the details of your plan. 

Just summarize the vision for your business, describe your offerings and target market , and touch on your management team and financials. Don’t go into tons of detail — just provide a high-level sense of what you want your business to accomplish.

Opportunity: problem and solution

This section of your food and beverage business plan describes the opportunity you hope to capture.

Maybe you’re a farmer looking to diversify your revenue streams by distributing to grocery stores. Or a bar owner with high-end liquor that competitors in the market aren’t serving. 

Whatever your business is, describe the gap in the market and how you aim to fill it.

If you’re operating a more common type of business, like a restaurant , you can probably keep this section short. But it’s useful to document what makes your business unique and it will help focus your sales and marketing efforts later on.

Market analysis

In a field as crowded with competitors as the food and beverage space, a detailed market analysis is essential. 

Your focus should be on identifying the specific customer segments you aim to serve. 

Maybe you’re a butcher with connections to fresh livestock. Will you be more successful selling directly to consumers, or should you focus on selling to grocery stores and markets in your area?

Or, you’re opening  a diner. Should your menu focus on healthy meals or easy-to-make child-friendly options?

These are the types of questions that market research helps you answer. This section should detail the defining characteristics of your target market, including the demographics and preferences of your ideal customer and the size of the market you’re targeting. Market research questions specific to a food and beverage business could include:

  • Business location and characteristics
  • Area income
  • Local food and beverage preferences
  • Existing food and beverage options 

Elaborate on how your food and beverage offerings align with that target market ’s needs. Remember, you can’t please everyone, so focus on a specific group of people or type of person and build out from there.

Marketing and sales

For food and beverage businesses promotions are how you stand out and seize a share of your market.

The marketing and advertising chapter of your business plan is where you’ll detail your strategies for capturing the attention — and loyalty — of the customers you identified as your target market in the previous section.

With so many options for consumers in the food and beverage space, you’ll likely have to rely on multiple marketing channels , including::

  • Advertising on websites, television, and in relevant publications.
  • Content marketing — developing an engaging website and writing blog content that’s search engine optimized to drive traffic to your site.
  • Engaging with your customers on social media.
  • Offering discounts and customer loyalty programs.
  • Appearing at food and beverage industry trade shows and community events.

It doesn’t matter how delicious your recipes are, how fresh your crops are, or how innovative your cocktails are — if you don’t operate efficiently, your business probably won’t last long.

The operations strategy may be the most detailed section of your business plan, especially if you’re writing it for a bank loan or investment. This section describes how you will run your business day to day.

When writing the operations section, describe the following:

Physical space

Whether it’s a restaurant, a farm, or a food transportation business, describe the space you’re operating in, and all of the physical assets and equipment you’ll need to be successful. 

If it’s a sit-down restaurant, consider including a floorplan mockup in your appendix.

Supply chain 

List the suppliers and partners that get your product to customers. Think about the businesses you purchase ingredients from, the warehouses that goods are stored in, and the trucking companies that deliver your products to grocery stores. 

These are your supply chain partners. It’s crucial that you maintain good relationships with them.

Production processes

How long it takes to make your product, and what materials and equipment are required. Documenting how you produce your goods or services demonstrates that you understand the costs of making them. 

You may also uncover ways to produce them more quickly, or at a lesser cost.

Detail how you’ll handle matters of efficiency like order fulfillment, storage, shipping, and returns, as well as customer satisfaction. If you provide delivery services, document how you will handle the process of getting your product to customers’ homes or businesses.

List your staffing needs, training, and experience requirements for key staff. Also, document the management structure of your business. 

This helps ensure that important tasks you don’t have time to monitor are being done and that workers are being supervised.

Describe investments in payment processing systems, inventory management software, and other tools that support sales or operations in your business. Cataloging your technology systems will help you determine where it might make sense to invest in upgrades for efficiency.

Take some time to write a financial plan . Create detailed financial projections, including sales , expenses , and profitability .

If that sounds intimidating, take a deep breath, and remember that financial forecasts are really just best guesses. If you’re running an existing business, you can start with your previous year’s numbers. If you’re starting, make an educated guess about where you hope to be financially a year from now.

Investors will want to see a: 

  • Sales forecast
  • Income statement (also called a profit and loss statement )
  • Cash flow statement
  • Balance sheet 

If you use a tool like LivePlan , you’ll be able to build out your financial forecasts relatively quickly, even if you don’t have experience with business numbers.

Even if you aren’t seeking investment, the financial plan is crucial for understanding the viability of your business. It allows you to adjust your business model based on projected performance, and make informed decisions about where to spend your money.

  • Food and beverage business plan templates and examples

If you want to see how other food and beverage businesses have created their plans, check out our free library of food and beverage business plans . 

You can download all of them in Word format and jump-start your own business plan.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Content Author: Elon Glucklich

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

Check out LivePlan

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How to write a business plan for a micro brewery?

micro brewery business plan

Writing a business plan for a micro brewery can be an intimidating task, especially for those just starting.

This in-depth guide is designed to help entrepreneurs like you understand how to create a comprehensive business plan so that you can approach the exercise with method and confidence.

We'll cover: why writing a micro brewery business plan is so important - both when starting up, and when running and growing the business - what information you need to include in your plan, how it should be structured, and what tools you can use to get the job done efficiently.

Let's get started!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a micro brewery?

  • What information is needed to create a business plan for a micro brewery?
  • What goes in the financial forecast for a micro brewery?
  • What goes in the written part of a micro brewery business plan?
  • What tool can I use to write my micro brewery business plan?

Understanding the document's scope and goals will help you easily grasp its structure and content. Before diving into the specifics of the plan, let's take a moment to explore the key reasons why having a micro brewery business plan is so crucial.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your micro brewery. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your micro brewery to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your micro brewery, you'll focus on three key areas:

  • Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
  • Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
  • Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

To anticipate future cash flows

Regularly comparing your actual financial performance to the projections in the financial forecast of your micro brewery's business plan gives you the ability to monitor your business's financial health and make necessary adjustments as needed.

This practice allows you to detect potential financial issues, such as unexpected cash shortfalls before they escalate into major problems. Giving you time to find additional financing or put in place corrective measures.

Additionally, it helps you identify growth opportunities, like excess cash flow that could be allocated to launch new products and services or expand into new markets.

Staying on track with these regular comparisons enables you to make well-informed decisions about the amount of financing your business might require, or the excess cash flow you can expect to generate from your main business activities.

To secure financing

Whether you are a startup or an existing business, writing a detailed micro brewery business plan is essential when seeking financing from banks or investors.

This makes sense given what we've just seen: financiers want to ensure you have a clear roadmap and visibility on your future cash flows.

Banks will use the information included in the plan to assess your borrowing capacity (how much debt your business can support) and your ability to repay the loan before deciding whether they will extend credit to your business and on what terms.

Similarly, investors will review your plan carefully to assess if their investment can generate an attractive return on investment.

To do so, they will be looking for evidence that your micro brewery has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand why it is important to create a business plan for a micro brewery, let's take a look at what information is needed to create one.

Information needed to create a business plan for a micro brewery

You need the right data in order to project sales, investments and costs accurately in the financial forecast of your micro brewery business plan.

Below, we'll cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your business plan.

Carrying out market research for a micro brewery

Before you begin writing your business plan for a micro brewery, conducting market research is a critical step in ensuring precise and realistic financial projections.

Market research grants you valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other crucial factors that can impact the success of your business.

In the course of this research, you may stumble upon trends that could impact your micro brewery.

Your market research could reveal that craft beer may be gaining popularity in your area, which could present a potential opportunity for your micro brewery. Additionally, your research may uncover that there is a demand for more unique flavors in the craft beer industry, which could be an area to explore for your micro brewery.

Such market trends play a pivotal role in revenue forecasting, as they provide essential data regarding potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By integrating these findings into your financial projections, you can provide investors with more accurate information, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about investing in your micro brewery.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for a micro brewery

Budgeting sales and marketing expenses is essential before creating a micro brewery business plan.

A comprehensive sales and marketing plan should provide an accurate projection of what actions need to be implemented to acquire and retain customers, how many people are needed to carry out these initiatives, and how much needs to be spent on promotions, advertising, and other aspects.

This helps ensure that the right amount of resources is allocated to these activities in order to hit the sales and growth objectives forecasted in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of a micro brewery

Whether you are at the beginning stages of your micro brewery or expanding its horizons, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is vital to ensure your business's success.

To achieve this, both the recruitment and investment plans must align coherently with the projected timing and level of growth in your forecast. It is essential to secure appropriate funding for these plans.

Staffing costs could include salaries for brewmasters and other personnel, such as brewers, clerks, and janitorial staff. Equipment costs could include a grain mill, fermentation tanks, bottling line, kegs, keg washer, and other necessary supplies, such as hoses and piping.

To create a financial forecast that accurately represents your business's outlook, remember to factor in other day-to-day operating expenses.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it's time to dive in and start creating your business plan and developing the financial forecast for your micro brewery.

What goes into your micro brewery's financial forecast?

The objective of the financial forecast of your micro brewery's business plan is to show the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business over the next 3 to 5 years.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a micro brewery are:

  • The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
  • The projected balance sheet ,
  • The cash flow forecast ,
  • And the sources and uses table .

Let's look at each of these in a bit more detail.

The projected P&L statement

Your micro brewery forecasted P&L statement enables the reader of your business plan to get an idea of how much revenue and profits your business is expected to make in the near future.

forecasted profit and loss statement in a micro brewery business plan

Ideally, your reader will want to see:

  • Growth above the inflation level
  • Expanding profit margins
  • Positive net profit throughout the plan

Expectations for an established micro brewery will of course be different than for a startup. Existing businesses which have reached their cruising altitude might have slower growth and higher margins than ventures just being started.

The projected balance sheet of your micro brewery

The balance sheet for a micro brewery is a financial document that provides a snapshot of your business’s financial health at a given point in time.

It shows three main components: assets, liabilities and equity:

  • Assets: are resources owned by the business, such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
  • Liabilities: are debts owed to creditors and other entities, such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers) and loans.
  • Equity: includes the sums invested by the shareholders or business owners and the cumulative profits and losses of the business to date (called retained earnings). It is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

example of projected balance sheet in a micro brewery business plan

Examining the balance sheet is important for lenders, investors, or other stakeholders who are interested in assessing your micro brewery's liquidity and solvency:

  • Liquidity: assesses whether or not your business has sufficient cash and short-term assets to honour its liabilities due over the next 12 months. It is a short-term focus.
  • Solvency: assesses whether or not your business has the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term.

Looking at the balance sheet can also provide insights into your micro brewery's investment and financing policies.

In particular, stakeholders can compare the value of equity to the value of the outstanding financial debt to assess how the business is funded and what level of financial risk has been taken by the owners (financial debt is riskier because it has to be repaid, while equity doesn't need to be repaid).

The cash flow forecast

As we've seen earlier in this guide, monitoring future cash flows is the key to success and the only way of ensuring that your micro brewery has enough cash to operate.

As you can expect showing future cash flows is the main role of the cash flow forecast in your micro brewery business plan.

example of projected cash flow forecast in a micro brewery business plan

It is best practice to organise the cash flow statement by nature in order to show the cash impact of the following areas:

  • Cash flow generated from operations: the operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the business's commercial activities
  • Cash flow from investing activities: the investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.) either to maintain the business's equipment or to expand its capabilities
  • Cash flow from financing activities: the financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to financiers

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to make sure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

Your micro brewery business plan will normally include both yearly and monthly cash flow forecasts so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The sources and uses table or initial financing plan is a key component of your business plan when starting a micro brewery.

It shows where the capital needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be spent (uses).

sources and uses table in a micro brewery business plan

This table helps size the investment required to set up the micro brewery, and understand how risks will be distributed between the business owners, and the financiers.

The sources and uses table also highlights what the starting cash position will be. This is key for startups as the business needs to have sufficient funding to sustain operations until the break-even point is reached.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what will go into the financial forecast of your micro brewery business plan, let's have a look at the written part of the plan.

The written part of a micro brewery business plan

The written part of a micro brewery business plan plays a key role: it lays out the plan of action you intend to execute to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified on the market and provides the context needed for the reader to decide if they believe your plan to be achievable and your financial forecast to be realistic.

The written part of a micro brewery business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

  • The executive summary
  • The presentation of the company
  • The products and services
  • The market analysis
  • The strategy
  • The operations
  • The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The executive summary, the first section of your micro brewery's business plan, serves as an inviting snapshot of your entire plan, leaving readers eager to know more about your business.

To compose an effective executive summary, start with a concise introduction of your business, covering its name, concept, location, history, and unique aspects. Share insights about the services or products you intend to offer and your target customer base.

Subsequently, provide an overview of your micro brewery's addressable market, highlighting current trends and potential growth opportunities.

Then, present a summary of critical financial figures, such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Lastly, address any funding needs in the "ask" section of your executive summary.

2. The presentation of the company

As you build your micro brewery business plan, the second section deserves attention as it delves into the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide valuable insights into the legal structure of the business, the identities of the owners, and their respective investments and ownership stakes. This level of transparency is vital, particularly if you're seeking financing, as it clarifies which legal entity will receive the funds and who holds the reins of the business.

Moving to the location part, you'll offer a comprehensive view of the company's premises and articulate why this specific location is strategic for the business, emphasizing factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your micro brewery, you could emphasize its potential to draw in customers from the surrounding area. You may mention that the location is situated in a busy area with easy accessibility from the main roads, and could be easily noticed by potential customers. You could also point out the benefits of being in a diverse community, as it could bring in customers from a variety of different backgrounds. Additionally, you might mention that the location has potential to become a popular destination for tourists due to its proximity to popular attractions and amenities. Finally, you could highlight the potential of the location to build a loyal customer base due to the potential for word-of-mouth marketing from the local community.

Lastly, you should introduce your esteemed management team. Provide a thorough explanation of each member's role, background, and extensive experience.

It's equally important to highlight any past successes the management team has achieved and underscore the duration they've been working together. This information will instil trust in potential lenders or investors, showcasing the strength and expertise of your leadership team and their ability to deliver the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of what your company offers, who are the target customers, and what distribution channels are part of your go-to-market. 

For example, your micro brewery could offer customers a variety of handcrafted beers, such as lagers, ales, stouts, and IPAs. You could also offer growlers of beer to go, so customers can enjoy their favorite beers in the comfort of their own homes. Lastly, your micro brewery could offer brewery tours and tastings, allowing customers to learn more about the beer-making process and sample different beers. This would be a great way for customers to experience the unique flavors of the beers your brewery has to offer.

4. The market analysis

When you present your market analysis in your micro brewery business plan, it's crucial to include detailed information about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any relevant regulations.

The main objective of this section is to help the reader understand the size and attractiveness of the market while demonstrating your solid understanding of the industry.

Begin with the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your micro brewery, the key trends in the marketplace, and introducing different customer segments along with their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, focus on your target market, zooming in on the specific customer segments your micro brewery aims to serve and explaining how your products and services fulfil their distinct needs.

For example, your target market might include craft beer enthusiasts. These are people who appreciate the flavor and variety of craft beer, and actively seek out new local microbreweries. They are willing to pay more for specialty beers, and take pride in their knowledge of the craft beer industry.

Then proceed to the competition subsection, where you introduce your main competitors and highlight what sets you apart from them.

Finally, conclude your market analysis with an overview of the key regulations applicable to your micro brewery.

5. The strategy section

When crafting the strategy section of your business plan for your micro brewery, it's important to cover several key aspects, including your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, clearly explain what sets your company apart from competitors. This is particularly critical if you're a startup, as you'll be trying to establish your presence in the marketplace among entrenched players.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you aim to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to your customers.

For the sales & marketing plan, outline how you plan to reach and acquire new customers, as well as retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

In the milestones subsection, detail what your company has achieved thus far and outline your primary objectives for the coming years by including specific dates for expected progress. This ensures everyone involved has clear expectations.

Lastly, in the risks and mitigants subsection, list the main risks that could potentially impact the execution of your plan. Explain the measures you've taken to minimize these risks. This is vital for investors or lenders to feel confident in supporting your venture - try to proactively address any objection they might have.

Your micro brewery may face the risk of spoilage or contamination of the beer. This could be caused by inadequate sanitation procedures, improper storage conditions, or a lack of awareness of the safety requirements of the brewing process. Additionally, your micro brewery could also face the risk of legal issues. This could occur if the brewery is not in compliance with state and federal regulations, or if customers have an issue with the product and take legal action.

6. The operations section

In your business plan, it's also essential to provide a detailed overview of the operations of your micro brewery.

Start by covering your team, highlighting key roles and your recruitment plan to support the expected growth. Outline the qualifications and experience required for each role and your intended recruitment methods, whether through job boards, referrals, or headhunters.

Next, clearly state your micro brewery's operating hours, allowing the reader to assess staffing levels adequately. Additionally, mention any plans for varying opening times during peak seasons and how you'll handle customer queries outside normal operating hours.

Then, shift your focus to the key assets and intellectual property (IP) necessary for your business. If you rely on licenses, trademarks, physical structures like equipment or property, or lease agreements, make sure to include them in this section.

You may have key assets such as the brewing equipment and the recipes that make up the unique flavors of the beer. These are your intellectual property, and could be protected by things like trade secrets and patents. You may also have the brand and marketing that set you apart from other breweries, which could be protected by trademarks.

Lastly, include a list of suppliers you plan to work with, detailing their services and main commercial terms, such as price, payment terms, and contract duration. Investors are interested in understanding why you've chosen specific suppliers, which may be due to higher-quality products or established relationships from previous ventures.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will present the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes in your micro brewery business plan, let's look at the solutions you can use to draft yours.

What tool should I use to write my micro brewery's business plan?

In this section, we will be reviewing the two main solutions for creating a micro brewery business plan:

  • Using specialized online business plan software,
  • Outsourcing the plan to the business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your micro brewery's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write a micro brewery business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

  • You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
  • You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
  • You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
  • You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
  • You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
  • You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
  • You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
  • You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your micro brewery's business plan

Outsourcing your micro brewery business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are skilled in creating error-free business plans and accurate financial forecasts. Moreover, hiring a consultant can save you valuable time, allowing you to focus on day-to-day business operations.

However, it's essential to be aware that hiring business plan writers will be expensive, as you're not only paying for their time but also the software they use and their profit margin.

Based on experience, you should budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a comprehensive business plan, and more if you require changes after initial discussions with lenders or investors.

Also, exercise caution when seeking investment. Investors prefer their funds to be directed towards business growth rather than spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be insignificant compared to the amount raised.

Keep in mind that one drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself; you only receive the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business planning software. This can make it challenging to update the document without retaining the consultant's services.

For these reasons, carefully consider outsourcing your micro brewery business plan to a business plan writer, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of seeking outside assistance.

Why not create your micro brewery's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write a micro brewery business plan is a terrible idea.

For starters, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is very technical and requires both a strong grasp of accounting principles and solid skills in financial modelling.

As a result, it is unlikely anyone will trust your numbers unless - like us at The Business Plan Shop - you hold a degree in finance and accounting and have significant financial modelling experience in your past.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the 1990s and early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Also, using software makes it easy to compare actuals vs. forecasts and maintain our forecasts up to date to maintain visibility on future cash flows - as we discussed earlier in this guide - whereas this is a pain to do with a spreadsheet.

That's for the forecast, but what about the written part of my micro brewery business plan?

This part is less error-prone, but here also software brings tremendous gains in productivity:

  • Word processors don't include instructions and examples for each part of your business plan
  • Word processors don't update your numbers automatically when they change in your forecast
  • Word processors don't handle the formatting for you

Overall, while Word or Excel may be viable options for creating a micro brewery business plan for some entrepreneurs, it is by far not the best or most efficient solution.

  • A business plan has 2 complementary parts: a financial forecast showcasing the expected growth, profits and cash flows of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to judge if the forecast is realistic and relevant.
  • Having an up-to-date business plan is the only way to keep visibility on your micro brewery's future cash flows.
  • Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this practical guide gave you insights on how to write the business plan for your micro brewery. Do not hesitate to get in touch with our team if you still have questions.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

  • In-depth business plan structure
  • Key steps to write a business plan?
  • Free business plan template

Know someone who owns or wants to start a micro brewery? Share this article with them!

Guillaume Le Brouster

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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How To Write a Successful Taproom Business Plan + Template

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Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for taproom businesses that want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every taproom business owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Business Plan Template

What is a Taproom Business Plan?

A taproom business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Taproom Business Plan?

A taproom business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Taproom Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful taproom business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a taproom business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

  • Start with a one-line description of your taproom company
  • Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your taproom business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your tap room firm, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen taproom business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a taproom business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

  • What part of the taproom industry are you targeting?
  • How big is the market?
  • What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, the customers of a taproom business may include:

People who live or work near your tap room

People who appreciate the unique, specialty flavors of beer

People who are looking for an environment where they can relax with friends

People who are looking the highest-quality in beer

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or tap room services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Below are sample competitive advantages your taproom business may have:

  • Quality of products: the beers you sell may be of the highest-quality
  • Location: your brewery is in the perfect location within a busy neighborhood
  • Atmosphere: the environment of your brewery suggests relaxation and refreshment
  • Pricing: the pricing of your products is reasonable
  • Variety: your products offer unique, specialty flavors and blends

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

  • Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
  • Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
  • Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
  • Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or, you may promote your taproom business via word-of-mouth or by exhibiting at trade shows.

Operations Plan

This part of your taproom business plan should include the following information:

  • How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
  • What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a taproom business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include increasing business by a certain percentage, or opening a second location.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific taproom industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

  • Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
  • Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
  • Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Taproom Business

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

  • Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
  • Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
  • Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Taproom Business

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

  • Cash Flow From Operations
  • Cash Flow From Investments
  • Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup taproom business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Taproom Business

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

  • Your complete financial projections
  • A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
  • Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your taproom . It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

A well-executed business plan will give you the best chance at success and keep you organized and on track as your taproom business grows.  

Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

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With our Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

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  2. How To Write a Brewery Business Plan

    Download a template for your brewery business plan and start bringing your brewery ownership dreams to life. ... Writing a Business Plan for Breweries. Many would-be brewery owners go into it as a passion project, perhaps inspired by experience working in craft breweries, the brewing industry, or in-home brewing. ...

  3. Starting a Brewery (10 Steps): Business Plan, Costs, & More

    A good business plan includes detailed information on your concept, market, business structure, and financial situation. For additional information on this topic, consider reading our piece on how to write a restaurant business plan. 2. Choose a Brewery Concept. Your concept is what defines your brewery.

  4. How to Create a Brewery Business Plan (+Template for Breweries)

    How To Write A Brewery Business Plan. Below, we'll cover the eight essential sections that go into a great brewery business plan. Executive Summary for Your Business Plan. Your Executive Summary is arguably the most important section of your business plan. While it's the first section that investors typically screen, it's often written ...

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    Writing Your Brewery Business Plan is a step-by-step review of the necessary elements within a business plan and why those things are important. Successfully Planning, Starting and Operating a Nano Brewery offers a broad overview of the planning process with highlights on fundamental considerations for both launching and growing a brewery.

  6. How to Write a Brewery Business Plan + Free Sample Plan

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  7. Brewery Business Plan (How to Write & Template)

    Step 3: Create a Brewery Business Plan Structure. Follow a ready-made structure to organize your business plan for brewery effectively. This structure should cover sections like: Summary: A short overview of your brewery, highlighting its most important aspects. Business Idea: Explain your brewery's idea, who your customers will be, and how ...

  8. Microbrewery Business Plan Template & Guide [Updated 2024]

    How to Write a Brewery Business Plan. All business plans should include the following 10 sections: Executive Summary. Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

  9. How To Write A Comprehensive Brewery Business Plan

    Part of your brewery business plan is figuring out all the necessary equipment. This should be related to your menu, your brewery size, location, and how you plan to operate. When planning your brewing equipment, consider the volume of beer you need to brew and have a clear plan for how you will be able to sell this.

  10. How To Write A Successful Brewery Business Plan + Template

    The executive summary of a brewery business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan. Start with a one-line description of your brewery company. Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business ...

  11. Brewery Business Plan Template (2024)

    Below is a brewery business plan example to help you write your brewery business plan: Executive Summary Business Overview. Mountain Craft Beer is a startup brewery located in Boulder, Colorado. The company is founded by Richard and Susan Williams, long-time craft beer enthusiasts who are ready to venture out and start their own brewing business.

  12. Brewery Business Plan Template for 2024

    A brewery business plan template is a customizable document that guides you through writing a winning business plan for beer-related enterprises, like a craft brewery, brew pub, or microbrewery. This kind of template covers topics like an executive summary, marketing plan, operations plan, financial plan, and others.

  13. How To Write Your Brewery Business Plan

    The Brewery Business Plan Format. The layout for a brewery plan will typically follow that of a standard business plan. However, because of the unique nature of a brewery business, the approach to each section may be considerably different. Here are a few tips as you write through each section of your brewery business plan. Executive Summary

  14. Brewery Business Plan: Guide & Template (2024)

    Before you start writing your business plan for your new brewery business, spend as much time as you can reading through some examples of Farm & Food Production-related Business Plans. Industry Overview. The global beer market stood at a value of 623.2 billion dollars in 2020 and is expected to grow at a rapid rate thereafter too.

  15. How to Write Brewery Business Plan? Guide & Template

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  16. Brewery Business Plan Example

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  17. Brewery Business Plan PDF Example

    February 20, 2024. Business Plan. Creating a comprehensive business plan is crucial for launching and running a successful brewery. This plan serves as your roadmap, detailing your vision, operational strategies, and financial plan. It helps establish your brewery's identity, navigate the competitive market, and secure funding for growth.

  18. How To Write a Brewery Marketing Plan + Template & Examples

    A brewery marketing plan is a written document that outlines the specific actions you'll take to generate leads, convert prospects into customers, and retain customers over time. This document is a crucial component of your larger brewery business plan, as it details how you'll attract and retain customers. Your marketing plan should be ...

  19. How to Write and Develop a Microbrewery Business Plan

    Analysis of competition within the industry. Operational Plan - The operational plan portion of your business plan will outline current and expected staff needs, day-to-day functional components, microbrewery supply needs, and licensing and insurance requirements. Finances - You'll definitely want to approach the financial section with care.

  20. How To Write a Successful Brewpub Business Plan

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  22. How to write a business plan for a micro brewery?

    To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your micro brewery to be in the next three to five years. you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your ...

  23. How To Write a Craft Beer Store Business Plan

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  24. Writing A Successful Microbrewery Business Plan + Template

    Writing an Effective Microbrewery Business Plan. The following are the key components of a successful microbrewery business plan: Executive Summary. The executive summary of a microbrewery business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of ...

  25. How To Write a Successful Taproom Business Plan

    The executive summary of a taproom business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan. Start with a one-line description of your taproom company. Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business ...