What is a Contract Brewery?

A contract brewery like BCB is a specialized brewery that offers its facilities and expertise to other beer brewers. This can range from hobby brewers who want to produce their recipes on a slightly larger scale to larger breweries that want to develop and test recipes before bringing them to market.

Benefits of Brewing with a Contract Brewery

There are numerous benefits to brewing with a contract brewery:

• Access to Expertise and Equipment: Contract breweries have the necessary expertise and equipment to brew high-quality beer with a high degree of consistency. This can be a great asset for hobby brewers who don’t have the necessary equipment but want to commercialize a beer.
• Flexibility: Contract breweries offer flexibility in terms of production. You can brew small batches to test new recipes or produce larger quantities to meet demand. BCB, for example, is known for not compromising on quality and flexibility.
• No Investment Costs: You don’t need to build or maintain your own brewery. As a contract brewer, we do that for our clients. Besides purchasing your beer, you don’t take any risks. Large investments are not a problem as long as beer is in demand. If you have fewer or no depreciations, you can withstand a downturn in the market.
• Focus on Marketing and Sales: If you don’t have to focus on production, you can dedicate yourself 100% to the sales, marketing, and distribution of your brand, which is where the real value lies.

Does My Product Lose Its Soul If I Don’t Produce It Myself?

Having your own beer is, of course, something you are emotionally attached to. It’s not easy to hand over that ‘child’ and have it brewed elsewhere.

However, at a good contract brewery, it’s not just about the financial figures and pumping out as much volume as possible, which can result in the ‘soul’ of the product being lost. A contract brewery is a complementary partner that ensures your beer is produced with expertise and care for quality and consistency. This allows you to focus on growing and building your brand’s name, the core of the business.

At BCB, it is also possible to occasionally follow a brew of your own beer if you find it desirable.

How to Find the Right Contract Brewery?

When choosing a contract brewery, it’s important to consider:

• Experience and Expertise: Choose a brewery with experience in brewing the beer styles you want to produce.
• Quality of Equipment: Ensure that the brewery uses high-quality equipment to guarantee the quality of your beer, even in smaller volumes.
• Flexibility: Choose a brewery that is flexible regarding order size and delivery times.
• Communication: Ensure good, fast, and honest communication with the brewery to avoid misunderstandings.

Tips for Successfully Collaborating with a Contract Brewery

To work successfully with a contract brewery:

• Be Clear About Your Expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations with the brewery regarding the beer style, flavor profile, quantity, etc.
• Deliver Recipes and Packaging Designs on Time: Ensure that your recipes and packaging materials (or their designs) are delivered on time so that the brewery can plan accordingly.
• Stay Involved: Stay involved in the brewing process and quality control.
• Provide Feedback: Provide feedback to the brewery after each brewing session to optimize your beer’s quality.

Conclusion

Brewing with a contract brewery can be an excellent way to bring your own beer or non-alcoholic beer to market. By choosing the right brewery, your beer receives the best care while you introduce it to the world.