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Perfecting the flavour and character of your craft beer takes time, effort, research and patience. Bringing it to market is no less delicate a balancing act, between offsetting the costs of setting up your operation and keeping your beer affordable. In addition to the initial investment in equipment, ingredients that are an affordable indulgence when brewing a small batch may become prohibitively expensive when your production is scaled up. With competition in the market hotting up, you can't afford to set your price point too high, no matter how special your brew is.
If you've considered entering the microbrew arena, this plain-speaking course from Duncan Sambrook, founder of the pioneering craft producer Sambrook's Brewery, will help you cost your business plan, and work out the safest way for your masterpiece to enter the market. Duncan explains the benefits and risks of a variety of production models, so you know exactly what equipment you'll need – and what you can live without. Offering an informed overview of the UK beer market, the course also explains how to factor set-up and ongoing costs into your pricing to ensure your microbrew stands the best possible chance of success.
This course is for you if...
- You're already brewing craft beer on a small scale and are considering entering the market professionally
- You're close to launching a craft brewery but want to ensure you're making the most informed commercial decisions possible
- You're great at brewing and would love to see your beer on the shelves, but less confident in your business skills
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a brewing course – attendees should have a good knowledge of the brewing process, from raw materials through to finished products.
Course description
This evening course covers the essential business considerations for anyone considering launching a craft beer, including startup costs, packaging and distribution, and how to minimise financial risks for your microbrewery. Topics covered on the evening include:
- Understanding the UK beer market, and competition among craft breweries
- The cost of brewing your first pint: the different options available to new brewers
- Developing a structured plan for your business
- Brewery equipment: what you need, and the cost of buying it
- How your site impacts on the choice of brewery equipment and cost of set up
- Production costs and selling beer: ongoing costs to factor into your business plan
- How to build up a price model
Tutor profile
Duncan Sambrook founded Sambrook's Brewery in Battersea, London in 2008. He was the first in a new wave of breweries to have started in the capital over the last five years and has grown his brewery from startup to producing over 2 million pints a year.
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Details
Date: Monday 16 February 2015
Times: 6.30pm-9.30pm. Check-in begins 30 minutes before the start time.
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £99 (includes VAT, booking fee and drinks)
Event capacity: 24
Dress code: There is no dress code for Masterclasses. Please dress however you feel comfortable.
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
