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Thinking of starting your own microbrewery or brewpub? If you've done any research already, you know that one of the more challenging tasks is finding information. You'll need all the help you can get in lining up training, equipment, suppliers, etc. and then there's those pesky business problems like financing, insurance, and regulatory issues... It's a wonder anybody in their right mind starts down this path! Maybe that's the key, you gotta be a little crazy. 

This collection of pages is an attempt to aid the start-up process by gathering and organizing contact information in the various subject areas. Hopefully, this will help get you connected with the resources you need to get your project up and fermenting. Please note that BrewStarter is specific to the brewing industry in the U.S. and no attempt is made to cover the international arena.

As this project grows, more concrete tips and guiding information to actually assist in the start-up process will be added. With that in mind, please read the following disclaimer:

The listing of a business or individual on the following pages does not constitute a recommendation. The author cannot be held responsible for the success or failure of any business venture using this information.

There, that's over with. Now, on to the good stuff!

First, some quick definitions. What is the difference between a microbrewery and a brewpub? For the purposes of this document, they are distinguished as follows: 

     

Microbrewery - A business whose primary activity is the brewing, bottling/kegging, and distribution of beer. It may offer a tasting room or beer garden as an attraction, but this a secondary activity and consumption of product is mainly off-site.

Brewpub - A business which has two primary activities: the brewing of beer for on-site consumption and the provision of full restaurant services. It may bottle/keg some product for distribution, but this is a secondary activity.

Brewery Information Resources