Competition has only grown tougher as more breweries come online and the industry continues to mature. Especially for smaller breweries working to grow their business, there’s little to no margin for error at any step of the way. Breweries need to come ready with a solid business plan and perspective, more than enough financing to meet their goals, and the talent and ability to make some really great beer and effectively get it out into the market.
Grow Conservatively and Deliberately
Owners shouldn’t bank on the type of “hockey-stick growth” that many have grown accustomed to from the craft-beer industry, says California’s Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Cofounder Jaime Dietenhofer.
“In any market when there’s that much growth, obviously consumption needs to follow at the same rate or there is retraction,” he says. “I think the smartest thing to do is to go slow.”