My name is Ryan (first post) I'm 32 from NJ and have been looking into starting a microbrewery in warehouse (industrial) space in my area with a partner . The space we have picked out currently is 1500q ft warehouse @ $1000/ month not including propane, water, sewerage. My business partner / fellow brewer would like a 5bbl MT/HLT/BK (basic equipment zero automation) setup. With 2 jacketed fermenters, and 3 bright tanks stored in a cold room. We are going to build our own cold room and use 2 window AC units hooked to cool bots(http://storeitcold.com/). The tasting room would be a part of the brewery as the space is small with high ceilings (industrial). The bar/tasting area would basically be the back side of the cold room so we could serve from our bright tanks. We have quoted all equipment from china and we feel, though its going to be rough, it may be doable.. I know there are plenty of "going pro" articles listed on here and other forums, but the questions I'm asking are for the little breweries.
My partner and I currently both have good full time jobs (40 hours weeks) with staggered schedules. Our current funds for startup is approx. 40 - 45K.. I know this will all probably be going towards brewing equipment.. So we are going to need to look into a small business loan to handle the extras. (permits, tables, chairs, glassware, growlers, shirts, etc). I have several friends in trades that have offered to assist with electrical, propane piping, plumbing etc.
Questions:
1- Based on not needing a whole lot of electrical and plumbing/hvac changes, and given the fact I will we will be doing the work ourselves. (then having licensed contractor friends inspect and sign off). Are we going to be looking at substantial permit costs for the above basic work? (adding 4 or 5 outlets, installing piping to burners)
2 - Based on our budget, and very small size of our proposed space / tasting room. Is our budget insanely low and are we flat out dreaming.
3 - If we can purchase the majority of our equipment with our initial budget, what loan amount should we try to obtain to be in a relative safe zone to get up and running with 3 beers on tap (to start)? We were thinking another 20k?
4 - Are we nuts for trying this based on all the info above? Based on both working 40 hour weeks (soon to be 60-80 if we commit to this) In the opinion of those brewer who may have pulled the trigger and are currently in the trenches..IS it worth it and would you do it over again given the opportunity?
5- If any small brewery owners are reading this.. Do you still work another full time job? If not how long (roughly) before you became profitable enough to make it a full time venture..
Thanks in advance for any info. It would be much appreciated!
My partner and I currently both have good full time jobs (40 hours weeks) with staggered schedules. Our current funds for startup is approx. 40 - 45K.. I know this will all probably be going towards brewing equipment.. So we are going to need to look into a small business loan to handle the extras. (permits, tables, chairs, glassware, growlers, shirts, etc). I have several friends in trades that have offered to assist with electrical, propane piping, plumbing etc.
Questions:
1- Based on not needing a whole lot of electrical and plumbing/hvac changes, and given the fact I will we will be doing the work ourselves. (then having licensed contractor friends inspect and sign off). Are we going to be looking at substantial permit costs for the above basic work? (adding 4 or 5 outlets, installing piping to burners)
2 - Based on our budget, and very small size of our proposed space / tasting room. Is our budget insanely low and are we flat out dreaming.
3 - If we can purchase the majority of our equipment with our initial budget, what loan amount should we try to obtain to be in a relative safe zone to get up and running with 3 beers on tap (to start)? We were thinking another 20k?
4 - Are we nuts for trying this based on all the info above? Based on both working 40 hour weeks (soon to be 60-80 if we commit to this) In the opinion of those brewer who may have pulled the trigger and are currently in the trenches..IS it worth it and would you do it over again given the opportunity?
5- If any small brewery owners are reading this.. Do you still work another full time job? If not how long (roughly) before you became profitable enough to make it a full time venture..
Thanks in advance for any info. It would be much appreciated!
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