Using consultants to evaluate turn-key brewery for purchase

[jackjacobsen]

Hi all, I know it’s a difficult time to be looking at getting into the brewing game. However, my partner and I are tentatively planning for down the road once COVID is no longer such a game changer (knock on wood).

Does anyone have experience using consultants to do an evaluation of a turn-key brewery for purchase, as well as experience using consultants (possibly the same ones) for assistance in the creation of business plan? Specifically looking at a brewery that has been closed for over a year. We are aware of some of the larger outfits, like First Key, but interested in whether there are other options out there, including smaller independent consultants who might do this kind of work. Curious about your experiences using this kind of service, reasonability of cost, thoughts on having someone do this kind of work, etc.

I’ve searched the forums but haven’t really found much in terms of discussing this topic. That said, feel free to point me to previous posts if this has already been asked. I really appreciate any help that y’all can give, and thanks so much for your time.

[gitchegumee]

I'm very good at this. Please email me at phil_kelm@yahoo Looking forward to hearing from you.

[MatthewS]

I just want to give gitchegumee a little love here. 100% from me and in fact we haven't spoken in years. IN a build out I did years back, Philip was great to work with and has a massive library of skills to offer. Do yourself a favor, call Philip

[gitchegumee]

Hello Matthew! Been a long time! Thanks for the shout. Hope you are safe & happy.

[jackjacobsen]

Hey Phillip, thanks for the info! And thanks for the endorsement Matthew. We're mostly gathering info at this point, but it does look like your services are what we're looking for. We're deciding on next steps, but there's a good chance you could hear from us in the near future. Just curious though, are you located in Palau? Mostly wondering as it seems that would definitely impact the cost of travel (if necessary). Though also because it sounds cool to be on an island in the south pacific.

[Starcat]

This can be a very subjective affair depending on the Experience your Consultants have and what you are looking for. It also changes significantly if you are dealing with a Kitchen operation because you need someone in this case who has an eye for what to look for on that end of things and has operations experience in that realm. This sector has unique challenges that present differently from larger industrial settings, and there are many significant things that can be missed which will impact things in the future.
With that said, I can also recommend Phillip Kelm as having expertise in Engineering and Brewing with obvious focus on solid systems that perform over time.
You need some one in the mix with Master Level Technical Skills who can look over the entire facility and easily spot potential pitfalls and problems in an existing structure.