How to Start, Own and Operate a Craft Brewery

“I want to put a ding in the universe.” -Steve Jobs

Raise your hand if you want to start a craft brewery. According to the Brewer’s Association, 15 new breweries are opening each and every week in the U.S. That’s a lot of hands in the air.

Now, raise your hand if you want a road map to follow with details on exactly how to start your own craft brewery.

The Brew Kit from Bernstein Shur law firm provides a simple, summarized version of the steps needed to start your dream brewery.

  • Legal entity formation: 12 months before start date
  • Brand identify and trademark protection: 12 months before start
  • Financing and real estate: 10 months before start
  • Federal licensing and compliance: 9 months before start
  • State licensing and compliance: 4 months before start
  • Brew day! Start your engines!

The Brew Kit provides a nice summary of the action items and timelines you’ll need to follow. Give Bernstein Shur a call for more details.

For in-depth guidance on starting your own brewery check out the Craft Brewery Financial Training Start Up Brewery Course.

Craft Brewery Financial Training Members: To get the Start Up Brewery Course, Log In to your account and access the Online Courses from the Member Menu. 

Not a member yet? Sign up and get instant and unlimited access to Craft Brewery Financial Training online courses, resources and guides.

Yours in the craft beer dream,

Kary Shumway, CPA

You may also like to read……

Valuable Brewery Year End Checklists

Valuable Brewery Year End Checklists

Year end financial procedures focus on two areas: Compliance items Value-added items Compliance items include filing 1099s and updating W-9s. These...