rico567
Well-Known Member
Two comments:
1. OP is in CA. Lots of people in this thread very enthusiastic, but be certain -very certain- that you understand the state and local regulations before you get serious about this. The fallout from Repeal of Prohibition in 1933 was extensive, but it all stemmed from two words "Local" and "Option." This means whatever you can imagine, and probably lots of things you can't. Be sure you KNOW your situation where YOU are. Life here in IL is far more complicated, if only because the racket in this state that is the distribution of alcoholic beverages makes life far more complicated for the small brewer. Example: local pub owner, renowned for best beer selection in the area, builds and is opening a micro exactly one short block West. To get beer to his original pub, it must be transported (perhaps even sold, I'm not sure) to a distributor, who must then transport (sell?) it back. It would be a two minute walk with a dolly to take kegs from his brewery to his pub....but that's dealing with alcoholic beverages in IL. What's your story?
2) You are talking about being self-employed in a small business. I have never been self-employed (except for a few brief, part-time ventures), but I have known some people who are. If you can envision that brewing beer as a business is -for sure- the one thing in the world you want to do, and are willing to devote most of your waking hours (at least for the first 5-6 years) to activities having to do with making and selling it, then you might consider it, realizing that most small businesses WILL NOT survive that first 5 years. Otherwise, you need to rethink your plan.
Personally, I love to homebrew, but even in a moment of lunacy I wouldn't even daydream about doing it as a business.
1. OP is in CA. Lots of people in this thread very enthusiastic, but be certain -very certain- that you understand the state and local regulations before you get serious about this. The fallout from Repeal of Prohibition in 1933 was extensive, but it all stemmed from two words "Local" and "Option." This means whatever you can imagine, and probably lots of things you can't. Be sure you KNOW your situation where YOU are. Life here in IL is far more complicated, if only because the racket in this state that is the distribution of alcoholic beverages makes life far more complicated for the small brewer. Example: local pub owner, renowned for best beer selection in the area, builds and is opening a micro exactly one short block West. To get beer to his original pub, it must be transported (perhaps even sold, I'm not sure) to a distributor, who must then transport (sell?) it back. It would be a two minute walk with a dolly to take kegs from his brewery to his pub....but that's dealing with alcoholic beverages in IL. What's your story?
2) You are talking about being self-employed in a small business. I have never been self-employed (except for a few brief, part-time ventures), but I have known some people who are. If you can envision that brewing beer as a business is -for sure- the one thing in the world you want to do, and are willing to devote most of your waking hours (at least for the first 5-6 years) to activities having to do with making and selling it, then you might consider it, realizing that most small businesses WILL NOT survive that first 5 years. Otherwise, you need to rethink your plan.
Personally, I love to homebrew, but even in a moment of lunacy I wouldn't even daydream about doing it as a business.