12 Craft Beer Related Business Ideas

Pat Walls

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Updated: July 15th, 2024

Interested in starting your first craft beer business?

Fortunately, the craft beer industry has and continues to be on an upward trajectory.

There are plenty of different craft beer business ideas you can turn into reality - we put together 12 different craft beer related business ideas you can start today!

Here they are:

1. Start a brewery

If well-planned, a brewery can be a profitable business. However, starting a brewery is not a walk in the park.

Opening a brewery requires a lot of planning, involves many decisions, and is capital intensive.

If you have decided to start a brewery, you must comply with the legal requirements. Then, understand the startup costs involved in starting a brewery.

Your brewery business plan must indicate the brewery concept and outline the brewery funding plans.

How much you can make: $33,000 — $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

How This Entrepreneur Started A $2M Craft Brewery

Progress Brewing, a craft beer company in South El Monte, saw continuous growth of 12-14% every month for 16 months straight and hopes to break $2M revenue in 2019 with a focus on high-value non-hype beer, excellent customer service, and providing an overall enjoyable experience.

Read this case study

Read by 7,809 founders

2. Start a digital subscription business

Digital subscription models have become increasingly popular over the last few years. These businesses can offer anything from online courses to software, digital downloads, or access to content.

Customers typically pay a monthly or yearly fee for access to content, products, and services.

This typically involves some form of recurring billing where the consumer is billed at a predetermined interval for as long as they continue using the service.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Make $7.5K/Month With A Productized Service

Draftss.com is a productized graphic design and front-end code service on subscription that made $66k ARR in 2019, has an MRR of $9.6k as of July 2020, and offers add-ons such as designers being added to team in interacting tools and front-end code services on WordPress using various page builders like Elementor and Divi.

Read this case study

Read by 12,322 founders

3. Create an online course

An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.

As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.

With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.

For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.

How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read this case study

Read by 28,850 founders

4. Start a nanobrewery or micro brewery

A nano brewery is a brewpub that produces less than 15,000 barrels of beer annually and sells at least 75% of its beer off-site. Running a nano-brewery can be profitable if you understand how to brew high-quality beer.

To start a nano brewery, check your local laws and research if you have a good customer base. It would help if you also learned how to operate a brewery professionally because poorly brewed beer will ruin your business.

How much you can make: $56,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

How We Started A Six-Figure Craft Brewery [From Croatia]

Croatian craft brewery Varionica shares how they started with only 22 kegs and an old Opel Astra, grew to produce roughly 40,000 liters of beer per month, and expanded successfully during the pandemic through an online shop and retail store partnerships.

Read this case study

Read by 5,583 founders

5. Start a beer consulting business

A beer consulting business provides expert guidance to beer industry stakeholders.

Whether you're a brewery owner, a bar manager, or someone looking to start your own beer-related business, a beer consulting service can help you navigate the complexities of the industry.

Consultants in this field offer assistance with various aspects, including brewing techniques, quality control, inventory management, and marketing strategies.

They leverage their knowledge and experience to help clients enhance the overall quality of their beer, optimize operations, and ultimately achieve success in the competitive world of craft beverages.

If you have a passion for beer and a deep understanding of the industry, starting a beer consulting business can be a rewarding way to share your expertise and contribute to the growth of others in the field.

6. Start a beerfest business

A Beerfest business hosts beer festivals, providing breweries a platform to showcase their craft beers.

The business focuses on coordinating events where beer enthusiasts can gather to sample a variety of unique and flavorful brews from different breweries.

The key tasks involve securing venues, inviting breweries to participate, managing ticket sales, and ensuring a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for attendees.

Success in this business relies on fostering partnerships with breweries, promoting the events effectively, and providing an engaging experience for vendors and beer enthusiasts.

Overall, a Beerfest business aims to celebrate and promote the diverse world of craft beer through well-organized and enjoyable festivals.

7. Start a craft beer blog

8. Start a beer delivery business

9. Start a beer garden restaurant

A beer garden restaurant is an outdoor dining establishment that serves a variety of beers and delicious food in a relaxed setting.

Customers can enjoy their meals and drinks in an open-air space, often surrounded by greenery or under a canopy.

The main attraction is the extensive selection of beers, ranging from local craft brews to popular international brands.

The goal is to create a social and communal atmosphere, encouraging patrons to gather, unwind, and share good times.

With picnic-style seating, friendly service, and a laid-back vibe, a beer garden restaurant is an ideal spot for friends and families to come together and savor both great beer and tasty food.

10. Start a beer tap manufacturing business

11. Start a beer branding agency

12. Start a brewing equipment business

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Pat Walls