Let’s talk about where you actually make money in your brewery.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new beer releases, expanded distribution, or shiny new equipment.
But behind all that buzz is a simple truth: breweries don’t make money on hype—they make money on products and customers that are actually profitable.
And here’s the key point—many breweries don’t really know which products or customers are actually profitable.
Start Simple: Product and Customer Analysis
Before diving into complicated spreadsheets or hiring a consultant, start simple. Ask two questions:
- Which beers make us the most money?
- Which customers cost us money instead of making us money?
Take a hard look at your margins by product. Are you pricing your core brands appropriately?
Is that specialty IPA that everyone loves and sells like crazy at wholesale actually profitable?
Then look at your customers. Are your top accounts really your best accounts? Or are they demanding deep discounts, constant deliveries, and tying up your team’s time?
Focus = Profit
In the brewery business, focus is power.
A focused financial review can uncover surprising truths—maybe your taproom is carrying the business while wholesale barely breaks even.
Or your 6-pack sales look great on Instagram but are underwater after calculating the true cost of goods sold.
The key is not to analyze everything. It’s to analyze the right things—your products and your customers.
Keep it simple. Know your numbers. And make decisions with data, not emotion.
Your bottom line will thank you.
Do this next:
- Watch the short video below: Where do you actually make money in your brewery?
- Learn more about the Beer Business Finance membership: A network of brewery owners and operators working together to drive profits and cash flows.
