1. Launching a Beer Project Without a Clear Vision
Wanting to brew a great beer isn’t enough. Without a clear vision, your brewery partner can’t deliver on your expectations.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Define your beer profile: style, flavor notes, alcohol content, and bitterness.
- Think through your positioning: local, premium, seasonal…
- Estimate your volume needs based on sales channels.
- Be transparent from the very first meeting.
2. Neglecting Ingredient Quality
Cutting costs on ingredients may seem smart, but it risks your product’s consistency—and your reputation.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Work with breweries that use certified, premium ingredients.
- Ask about traceability and hygiene practices.
- Ensure consistent quality with every brew.
3. Underestimating Production Volumes
Production volumes in contract brewing start at 12hL and can scale up quickly.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Align volumes with your distribution strategy.
- Plan ahead for logistics: storage, labeling, and delivery.
- Factor in production timelines and availability.
4. Overlooking Branding and Packaging
Your product may be brewed externally, but branding is your responsibility—and it matters.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Develop a brand identity that fits your target audience.
- Decide on technical packaging details early: bottle or can, legal labeling…
5. Choosing the Wrong Contract Brewery
This decision can make or break your launch. It’s not just about production—it’s about partnership.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Choose a brewery that offers flexibility in recipes, timing, and batch sizes.
- Check what extra services are available: R&D, lab testing, logistics, and recipe support.
BCB Guides You Every Step of the Way
At Belgian Contract Brewery, we offer a full-service brewing solution—from recipe creation and quality control to packaging and warehousing. You focus on the vision—we brew the beer.
Have a Beer Idea?
Every brew starts with a conversation. If you’re ready to turn your concept into reality, let’s talk. We’re here to help you launch with confidence.
Ready to launch? Book a free discovery call with BCB.