Get the information you need before opening a brewery or taproom.

• Choosing the right location and knowing your brewery’s target demographic will help you in choosing an identity for your business and which beer styles you’ll want to feature. Learn which size brewery/taproom is right for you when starting out, as well as footprint planning, necessary and optional equipment for production and marketing strategies.  Learn the pros and cons of various packaging options, as well as distribution planning for your product.

Acclimate beer selling businesses to the craft beer community.

• Craft beer has become wildly popular over the past few years. Many service industry businesses are rushing to keep up by offering craft beer in addition to their macro beer selections.  Knowing the nuances of so many styles of beer in an industry that is rapidly expanding will shorten the learning curve, minimizing costs and maximizing profits.

Learn to differentiate beer styles and their characteristics.

• With over 100 different styles of craft beer on the market and hybridized styles emerging, learning the groupings of beer styles into broad flavor categories will help you make smarter decisions about which beers your customers want to drink.

Get training for you and your staff about proper beer practices.

• Learn the appropriate steps to take when changing kegs, setting gas pressures, cleaning and checking for clean glassware and pouring beer that will minimize waste, reduce the chances of infection and ensure a product your customers come back for. Learn how to identify off flavors that may indicate draft line infections or the possibility of bad beer.  Help your staff study for and pass the Cicerone Craft Beer Server® exam.  A solid beer education for you and your staff will show immediate dividends from a satisfied, recurring customer base with larger beer sales and a reduction of waste.

Determine which beer styles and brands to stock based on your business style and customer base.

• Consider many of the existing factors of your business, indoor/outdoor seating, environmental conditions, food styles and customer demographics to help you determine which beer styles are right for your business. From sports bars to dive bars to outdoor beer gardens, making small changes in your beer menu based on your business identity can show positive returns almost immediately.

Become efficient at troubleshooting your bar equipment.

• Draft beer systems can be daunting; whenever there is an issue, no matter how small, business owners often look to hire a professional to diagnose the problem and apply the solution. Often, however, these issues are relatively small and can be alleviated with a minimum of effort.  Knowing how to check for problems and perform routine maintenance on your draft system can reduce down time, minimize loss and ensure you are selling a great product.

Establish which hardware needs your business has for the craft beer market.

• Will your business require everything from a dedicated walk-in cooler with a long draw system for dozens of taps, or a simple stand-alone kegerator with less than 10? Learn which hardware setup is right for your business without wasting money on unnecessary equipment. Learn how appropriate glassware styles best showcase your beer and how purchasing only one or two different glassware styles and sizes will maximize your profit.

Stylize your beer lines.

• Having stylized lines will maximize variety, prevent redundancy and reduce flavor bleed over when changing kegs. Style lines also make organizing your inventory easier, alleviating draft beer ordering and making the keg changeover process more efficient.

Learn how to successfully sell the beers in your selection.

• Craft beer markups are a balancing act. Discover the price points for selling your craft beer that will make it a good value for your customers while maximizing profit.  Learn how to include your beer selection in specials and discounts while maintaining these points.

Learn about beer distribution laws and how to successfully interact with distributors.

• In most instances, unless you are a brewpub or a taproom attached to a brewery, beer distributors are how you secure your beer selection. Learning which distributors carry which beer brands will make your ordering schedule easier and more effective.  Learn how to develop a relationship with your distribution representative that can get you better beers and merchandise.

Become savvy with current beer trends and how to maximize your “whales”.

• Rather than fighting tooth and nail for that rare beer from a brewery on the other side of the country, learn how to benefit from an establish a relationship with your distributor so that you will be offered local and regional special beer releases that are low on the radar but high in sales and customer satisfaction. These beers will cost less and, in the long run, please your customers more.

Introduce your brewery’s beers into the market.

• Do you have a young brewery and are ready to see your company’s beers in local bars and restaurants?  Get help choosing the right distributor and learn how to ensure that your brewery’s vision is understood by your wholesaler so that you will have a mutually beneficial relationship.  In addition, get the guidance you need outlining your distribution footprint so that you can easily keep up with production demands while keeping your product moving and expanding your brand.

Familiarize yourself with the basics of beer pairing.

• Which beers are best paired with your business’s food menu? The answers may surprise you.  Learning the basic nuances of food and beer pairing will make your beer selections a success for both the casual drinker and those looking to make flavorful craft beer pairings with your menu items.  In addition, learn how to look for noteworthy beer pairings with spirits, such as bourbon, gin and rum in order to expand your customer’s cocktail selections.

Execute beer dinners, tastings and flights.

• Get recommended beer pairings and menus for beer dinners, tastings and flights that will feature and array of beer styles to pair with dishes surprise and delight. From small bites to full courses, have your dinner ready to execute with amazing beers for your guests to enjoy.

Develop a craft beer collection.

• Learn about cellaring, vertical flight development and proper beer storage practices in order to build a satisfying if not enviable private beer collection to enjoy at your leisure.