"Find the Perfect Spot: Address Matters"
When it comes to setting up a nanobrewery, location plays a crucial role in the success of the business. We've gathered some valuable insights from successful nanobrewery owners on key considerations for choosing the ideal location.
Proximity to a Target Customer Base and Taproom Appeal
Selecting a spot that attracts visitors, such as near lively dining or entertainment areas, can help build a strong local following. One owner expanded into a former brewing space in a growing dining scene and planned to enhance the taproom environment with live music and upgraded lighting and sound to attract patrons.
Space Suitability for Brewing Operations and Taproom Setup
Owners look for locations that allow for efficient brewing operations but also engage customers through appealing taprooms. Removing interior walls, updating décor, and creating bars in both brewing and dining areas support a better visitor experience.
Local Market Demand and Competitive Environment
Understanding local consumer preferences and existing brewery footprints is critical. Some breweries feature small taprooms but compensate with diverse beer selections and complementary food menus, enhancing appeal even in less spacious locations.
Support for Brewery Goals and Batch Sizes
Practical considerations around brewing output influence space needs. Brewing goals and production scale determine how much space for tanks and equipment is required, which can affect location choice.
While explicit direct advice from multiple nanobrewery owners on location choice is limited, these points reflect the practical, market, and operational aspects owners emphasize when choosing nanobrewery locations.
Additional Tips from Successful Nanobrewery Owners
- Sam Anker, from 1st Down Brewing in Winterset, IA, suggests sloped floors with floor drains for easy cleanup after Brew Day.
- Jacob May, from Two Pillars Brewery in Calgary, recommends a waterproof brewing space for ease of cleaning and to prevent issues if walls get wet. Jacob May's brewery uses a double batch Nano system, which provides hot water on demand for brewing and cleaning. Having hot water on demand is considered a nice feature, even if a double batch system is not used.
- Sam Anker also recommends multiple gas hoses for simultaneous carbonation of multiple batches.
- Having a place to store grain and aluminum cans is beneficial when dealing with overstock situations.
- A durable hose and nozzle are important for maintaining cleanliness in a brewing space.
Ryan Oxton, who assists hundreds of brewers in finding the ideal setup for their brewing spaces, emphasizes the importance of a system that provides hot water on demand and a setup that allows for force carbonation of more than one batch at a time to speed up the process of getting beer from the fermenter to the tap. Ryan Oxton enjoys helping homebrewers turn their passion into a rewarding profession.
These insights offer a valuable starting point for those considering setting up a nanobrewery. By considering these factors, aspiring brewers can increase their chances of success in this exciting and growing industry.
Incorporating a home-and-garden approach to their nanobrewery, some successful owners like Sam Anker advocate for sloped floors with floor drains for easy cleanup after Brew Day and a durable hose and nozzle for maintaining cleanliness. Ryan Oxton, who aids numerous brewers in attaining ideal setups, emphasizes the value of a system that offers hot water on demand and a force carbonation setup that can handle more than one batch at a time, enhancing efficiency.
Lifestyle and home-and-garden sensibilities are also evident in the choices made by brewery owners, with some focusing on creating appealing taprooms, ranging from live music and upgraded lighting and sound to unique food menus, to attract patrons and build a strong local following.
