Start Your Own

[admin]

Siebel offers new course in brewery start-up

The Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago, has introduced a new course for those looking to start their own brewpub or microbrewery.

The "Start Your Own Brewery" course (May 2-4, 2007) trains students in aspects of small brewery design, construction, financial planning, marketing and management.

The course was created by craft brewing industry expert Ray Daniels, and covers brewpub & microbrewery design and startup issues. The content covers a wide range of critical topics including basic brewery design & operation, planning for capacity, utilities & brewery waste, packaging and a host of other important brewery-related issues. Segments on planning & management consider such areas as site selection, business plan development, financial measures & issues, and distribution. For those opening a brewpub, this program will also deal with the dynamics of restaurant & pub design, front & back-end operations and effective management tools & techniques.

Along with content that addresses brewing-related and restaurant/pub management issues, each day features a successful brewery entrepreneur who will share their story and answer questions from the class. These "Entrepreneurial Voices" will provide real-life insights into building brewing companies that work.

For more information regarding registration, contact Lupe Zepeda at lzepeda@siebelinstitute.com.

[ChesterBrew]

Rather than create a new thread, I figured bumping the old one with details may be helpful.

Has anyone on the forum taken the aforementioned class? I'm in the process of writing my business plan, and thought it may be a good "belt and suspenders" decision to attend, if only to see if any of my assumptions are way off-the-mark.

Thanks!

EDIT: found this thread as well:
http://www.probrewer.com/vbulletin/s...ad.php?t=16524

[Phinney Wood]

I'm taking the course in June. I'll be sure to share my thoughts when I've finished.

- Leif Bjorke
Phinney Wood Brewing

P.S.

Can I say "Phinney Wood Brewing" when the name is all I have (besides some recipes and other ideas) Is that cool?

[ChesterBrew]

I'm taking the course in June. I'll be sure to share my thoughts when I've finished.

That's the one I'm considering attending... perhaps I'll see you there.

[gray31]

Read the info about it on the website thinking of taking the online courses, if the Army will pay for them.

[Pompeiisneaks]

I already researched using my GI Bill, no luck. They have to take the time to get accredited with the DOD, and they have no plans to do so. Unless you mean the ARMY will pay for someone to attend it while on active duty, and then I don't know, but I believe they tend to only pay for degrees in fields that relate to your MOS.

[timbro81]

I already researched using my GI Bill, no luck. They have to take the time to get accredited with the DOD, and they have no plans to do so. Unless you mean the ARMY will pay for someone to attend it while on active duty, and then I don't know, but I believe they tend to only pay for degrees in fields that relate to your MOS.

I've had it up to here with "their" "rules"!

[ChesterBrew]

Well, I've decided I'm going to go ahead and register for the June course. Probably money well spent versus making stupid mistakes down the road.

If anyone has recommendations for lodging near Siebel, please reply here or PM me... I know they have a list on their web site, but many of those places are geared towards long-term housing (weekly, monthly) and not for a 3 or 4 day stay.

Thanks!

[JMully]

I went to the course last spring. It was well worth the trip. I stayed at the http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/en...inois/index.do and actually saved a good chunk of money. Not only do they offer a slight discount for Siebel students (just ask the reservation taker), but they have a pretty nice breakfast setup and a continental dinner, too. I only had to worry about bar money and a couple lunches.
It was a short ride on the subway, and a 5 minute walk to get to the classroom. Just be real careful at the 5-way intersection by the school, it's pretty wonky.

[ChesterBrew]

Thanks, JMully, for the feedback/recommendation. I actually tried them already, and they don't have anything available for the course dates.

[WitsEnd]

I took the class two years ago and went to the Craft Brewers Conference the following year. Both are money well spent. I was just starting to piect together a business plan at the time and both helped reaffirm some details as well as bring light to aspects I had not thought of previously.

[ChesterBrew]

Just want to bump this back up to the top and say I went to the class and agree it was worth every penny. Ray Daniels acted as our "master of ceremonies" as well as a course instructor for part of the time, and did a great job presenting his course material as well as encouraging people to socialize/network.

There were probably 50 or so students in the class, and I've since kept in touch with several of them (including Phinney Wood) since then. I was impressed enough with the experience and the quality of the classes that I'm heading back to Chicago in late October for their "Concise Brewing" course. Feel free to PM me or ask questions in this thread if anybody has specific questions about the experinece.

[Phinney Wood]

I'll second Chester Brew, it was a worth every penny.

Having people who have stated a brewery succesfully come talk to you, talk about their business plans, advise you on yours, answer your questions, offer to answer any going forward, is pretty great stuff.

A TTB inspector came and presented some very useful information and made the TTB seem less scary.

Really I can't say enough about the class. The contacts with the presenters and fellow students are going to be very valuable down the road.

And there's free beer on draught.

- Leif Bjorke