The most important purchase you’ll make as you begin your brewing business is that of your brewery equipment. Without the right equipment, you simply cannot make your product in a manner that allows you to be profitable. There is plenty of craft brewery equipment out there, but there can be a vast difference in the quality, the capability, and the durability. Take the time to find equipment that meets your needs today and in the future.
Your craft brewery equipment should be small enough that you can afford it today but should be scalable enough that you aren’t forced to scrap it as soon as your business grows.
If you buy craft brewery equipment that is scalable, it’s also important to consider the quality of the equipment, as well. You want this equipment to be part of your business for years to come, so it must be durable.
One of the most important components of choosing the right craft brewery equipment is choosing the right vendor. Look for a vendor that has engineering capability, and one that is accustomed to working with other craft brewers to help them start and grow their businesses. The right vendor has plenty of experience in creating systems that work now, but that have the ability to scale later. They also have the experience of actually having to scale those systems as their customers’ businesses grow.
Talk with other brewers about the equipment and vendor they use. When you’ve found a vendor used by a few craft brewers with similar business models, you should sit down with this vendor for a chat, and for the chance to see their products in action. Take all the time you need to choose the perfect craft brewery equipment and the perfect equipment vendor to get your brewery off to the best possible start.
