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Do you dream of brewing your own beer and setting up a successful brewery?<\/b> The demand for craft beer is growing and more and more people are turning their passion for brewing into their own business.<\/b> But running a brewery means much more.<\/p>\n
From choosing the right brewing equipment<\/b> from an experienced manufacturer to financing<\/b> and distribution<\/b>, starting a brewery requires planning and strategic decisions. Which equipment technology is the right one? What costs do you have to expect? And how do you develop a solid business plan<\/b>?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> This article will provide you with practical insights<\/b> and valuable tips<\/b> on how to successfully start your own brewery<\/b> and produce a product that has been around for 5000 years and always will be.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Craft beer is more than just a trend\u2014it’s a movement that inspires people all over the world. People who love beer often dream of perfecting their own recipe, creating special flavours and sharing their beer with others. But what is the appeal of <\/span>starting your own brewery<\/b><\/span>?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> For many, it is the idea of <\/span>creating something of their own<\/b><\/span>, a product with character and quality that stands out from industrial mass-produced goods. It’s about the art of brewing, the balance between tradition and innovation and the opportunity to experiment with new ingredients and brewing processes. <\/span><\/p>\n At the same time, a brewery is also an entrepreneurial adventure – from the initial idea to the first beer sold.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> So before you take the first step, you should ask yourself:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> What makes my beer special?<\/b> \u2013 Is it a unique flavour, a special brewing method or a regional ingredient?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> How big do I want my brewery to be?<\/b> \u2013 Do I start small with a microbrewery or am I planning a larger production?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> How do I find my customers?<\/b> \u2013 Is direct sales, collaborating with restaurants or online retailing the best strategy?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> The answers to these questions will determine many other decisions – from the choice of brewing equipment to the long-term business strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> It’s a big step from hobby brewer to professional beer producer. In addition to solid brewing skills, economic know-how and knowledge of operational processes are crucial<\/b>.<\/p>\n The following steps are helpful for optimal preparation: attending specialist seminars<\/b> and brewing courses<\/b>, visiting existing breweries or studying specialist literature and technical documentation.<\/p>\n Salm offers its customers free training<\/b> at its breweries in Vienna.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The location of your brewery is one of the most important decisions, as it influences production processes, storage capacities and logistics costs. A well-chosen location can significantly determine your success.<\/span><\/p>\n Important factors are:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> available space<\/b>: Is there enough room for production, storage and possible expansion?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> utilities<\/b>: Are water, electricity and gas capacities sufficient?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> logistics<\/b><\/span>: How are raw material deliveries and distribution organised?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> customer proximity<\/b>: If direct sales or a taproom are planned, good accessibility is essential.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> Breweries with an attached restaurant, in particular, benefit from a location with a high visitor frequency. Those focussing on retail or online sales, on the other hand, should pay more attention to an efficient infrastructure and good delivery routes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The choice of brewing system depends heavily on the planned production volumes, flexibility and degree of automation. There are different types of system that are suitable for different business models.<\/span><\/p>\n The following table shows the main advantages and disadvantages of different brewing systems and will help you to find the right one for your brewery.<\/p>\n<\/div> Anyone planning a restaurant or show brewery<\/b> often opts for brewhouses with copper cover<\/b>, as they are visually appealing and attract guests<\/b>. However, the trend is towards stainless steel design.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Those who want to realise high production volumes<\/b> with precise control<\/b> benefit from automated brewhouses.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Those who want to start small but grow later<\/b> rely on modular systems<\/b> that can be adapted to increasing demand.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div> Salm offers customised solutions for all these brewery concepts<\/b> – from traditional copper brewhouses for restaurant breweries to modern stainless steel and automated systems for efficient production.<\/p>\n Thanks to many years of experience<\/b> in brewing technology, systems can be customised to meet individual requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Setting up a brewery requires sound financial planning. The costs vary considerably depending on the size, technology, location and individual requirements. While small breweries can often start with a six-figure sum, larger production operations quickly require investments in the millions.<\/p>\n<\/div> Important note: <\/b>The following information is intended as a rough guide and may vary significantly depending on the supplier, location and technical requirements. Anyone considering starting a brewery should obtain detailed offers from brewing equipment manufacturers and financial consultants in advance.<\/p>\n<\/div> An example of a microbrewery with a batch size of 5 hl<\/b> could include the following basic costs:<\/p>\n<\/div> brewing equipment & tanks<\/b>: starting from approx. EUR 200,000,<\/b> depending on size and equipment<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> building & conversion<\/b>: between EUR 30,000 and 100,000<\/b>, depending on location and condition<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> raw materials for initial production:<\/b> EUR 5,000 \u2013 10,000<\/b>, depending on production volume<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> marketing & sales<\/b>: branding, website & initial campaigns: approx. EUR 10,000 \u2013 20,000<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> However, actual costs may be higher or lower, depending on individual circumstances and technical requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Financing options:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Many brewery founders rely on a <\/span>combination of equity, bank loans and funding programmes<\/b><\/span>. In Austria, there are various contact points, including the chamber of commerce (WKO) and regional funding centres, which offer financial support for start-ups. <\/span><\/p>\n In addition, some <\/span>start-ups use crowdfunding platforms<\/b><\/span> to cover initial production costs and build a community of supporters at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> The costs of a brewery depend on various factors. Here are some of the most important items to consider:<\/p>\n<\/div> purchase of the brewing system and additional technology<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> installation costs, start-up<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>The fascination of an own brewery<\/h2><\/div>
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/salm-austria.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Mann-ruhrt-kessel-1.png\")
First steps towards establishing a brewery<\/h2><\/div>
Building up knowledge and know-how<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Choice of location and infrastructure<\/h3><\/div>
Choosing the right brewing equipment<\/h2><\/div>
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<\/span><\/div>Technical details: Which brewing system is the right one?<\/h3><\/div>
Comparison of different types of brewing system<\/h4><\/div>
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\n type of brewing system<\/b><\/td>\n advantages<\/b><\/td>\n disadvantages<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n restaurant & show breweries<\/a><\/b><\/td>\n visually appealing, often with copper design, ideal for pubs and restaurants<\/td>\n higher initial costs than standard systems<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n craft beer brewing systems<\/a><\/b><\/td>\n hygienic, long-lasting, flexible for modern craft breweries<\/td>\n less traditional look<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n industrial brewing systems<\/a><\/b><\/td>\n high production capacity, precise control, efficient processes<\/td>\n high acquisition costs, less manual control<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div> Which system is the best fit?<\/h3><\/div>
Investment costs and financing<\/h2><\/div>
How much does a brewery cost?<\/h3><\/div>